Today, Christians in the Middle East live in one of the most delicate situations in history. This deminishing population are at risk of disappearing completely from Jesus' land as victims of war, poverty and religious radicalism.
PATRIARCH FOUAD TWAL
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
'We are the Church of Calvary in every aspect of our lives: the situation, the economy, conflict, occupation...However, a few meters from there is the Holy Sepulchre, the empty tomb of the resurrection. It's beautiful to live in both dimensions.'
For many years, the lack of understanding between Israelis and Palestinians has materialized in the form of a wall that separates Jerusalem from Bethlehem, but its symbolism divides more than just the two territories.
PATRIARCH FOUAD TWAL
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
'The walls you see when you come to Jerusalem remind us of other walls, which are located in the heart of man: fear, hatred, misunderstanding, mistrust.'
The recent uprising has existed so that maintaining a peaceful atmosphere between Israelis and Palestinians seems difficult. There are certain issues especially involved, like the status of Jerusalem.
PATRIARCH FOUAD TWAL
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
'Jerusalem is not only for Israel, not only for Muslims, not only for Christians, but we are all Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the mother who welcomes us all.'
Unfortunately, the Middle East is becoming a dangerous land for millions of people. The wars in Syria and Yemen, violence in Iraq and tension between Israel and Palestine are causing a mass escape that Western countries do not know how to manage.
PATRIARCH FOUAD TWAL
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
'Europe and America's intervention led to the war in Syria. If they wanted war, they have to accept the consequences: refugees are a consequence of this policy.'
Archbishop Twal spoke of the difficult situation in the heart of Christianity during a meeting at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem also includes Jordan, where most Syrian refugees are concentrated. Many of these refugees are also Palestinians. As second-time refugees after fleeing war in their homeland, they only found conditions worse in Syria.
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