Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) - In a statement released by the official media of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of the Holy Land expressed strong condemnation of the arson attack against the Sanctuary of the Miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes in Tabgha, in which a Benedictine monk and a German volunteer, were intoxicated by the fumes and were taken to the hospital. "It is", write the Catholic Bishops of the Holy Land "another act of violence perpetrated by intolerant and scrupulous individuals that damages the image of the Holy Land, offends Christians in this Country and the Church as a whole, and distresses the idea of a State that defines itself as democratic, tolerant and secure".
This is the third time that the Benedictine community of the Holy Land has been affected by similar criminal attacks. On April 27, 2014 at the same site in Tabgha, young extremist Jews desecrated crosses and an altar. In the Benedictine Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion, fire was started on May 26, 2014 a few minutes after the departure of Pope Francis. "The Benedictines of Mount Zion", say the Catholic Bishops of the Holy Land in their statement "are also incessantly subjected to acts of contempt and violence". The statement stresses that "such criminal acts seriously undermine the coexistence of religious communities in the country", and repeats once again that "the education of young people in religious schools must be emphasized in favor of tolerance and coexistence". Moreover, in thanking the political and religious leaders who have condemned this act and expressed their solidarity, what is highlighted is that "in recent months, other attacks were perpetrated against Christian sites or mosques, without the perpetrators being brought to justice".
After the arson attack against the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes, condemnation was also expressed by the Embassy of Israel to the Holy See. In a statement, the diplomatic representative deplores the acts of intimidation against places of worship perpetrated in the Holy Land, calling them "completely in contrast with the values and traditions of Israel. Israel - says the statement, sent to Agenzia Fides - is a democracy that guarantees full religious freedom to all believers. This despicable act in no way represents the State of Israel and its values". (GV) (Agenzia Fides 19/06/2015)
