- Paulina Guzik, OSV News
The Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the place where Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and resurrected, remains a place of ongoing prayer despite restricted access to the faithful, according to a statement issued March 21 by the Custody The Holy Land, which also noted that there is still uncertainty about the Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
The friars, now without faithful to pray for and not knowing how long the restrictions will last, have appealed to Catholics around the world to “unite in prayer for the cessation of war and violence.” And “for the paths of dialogue, diplomacy and responsible political action to be followed, as these are the only paths capable of building a just and lasting peace,” the communiqué said, calling the turbulent times a “time of testing.”.
Clarifications from the Franciscan Custody: prayer does not cease
“In recent days, various information has circulated concerning the closure” of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and “the celebration of the upcoming Easter liturgies,” the statement said. “In this regard, the Custody of the Holy Land considers it appropriate to offer some clarifications.”.
The Franciscan community responsible for the site emphasizes that religious life within the basilica has not been interrupted.
“The community of Franciscan friars present in the Holy Sepulcher has never ceased, day and night, to carry out the scheduled celebrations, rites, daily processions and liturgical prayers as stipulated in the Status Quo,” the note adds.
«Even during these days, although access to the Basilica is restricted to the faithful for security reasons, prayer continues unabated in the Holy Places.”.
Liturgical activity, a service to the universal Church
The Custody, which has maintained a presence in key Christian locations for centuries, framed its ongoing liturgical activity as a service to the universal Church.
“Our centuries-old presence at the Holy Places of the Redemption and the prayer that rises there every day are offered on behalf of the whole Church and for the good of all humanity,” the statement said.
Making the faith in the Holy Places visible in dramatic times
“In particularly dramatic times like those we are living now, this presence seeks to make visible the faith, hope and supplication of every baptized person, so that from these Holy Places a prayer for peace and reconciliation among peoples may continue to be raised.
The authorities indicated that it is still too early to determine how the Holy Week celebrations will be carried out.
It is not possible to predict the celebrations
“For the time being, it is not possible to make predictions on the celebrations of Holy Week,” the statement said. “The Custody of the Holy Land is in constant dialogue with the competent authorities and with the other Churches responsible for the Holy Sepulchre. As soon as clear information on the celebrations becomes available, official communiqués will be issued through institutional channels.”.
Decreed by the Israeli authorities
On March 20, OSV News reported that the Israeli authorities had decreed the closure of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem as part of a wider set of closures for security reasons, beginning on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran.
A statement from the head of Israel's Civil Administration confirmed that “all holy sites in the Old City of Jerusalem, including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, will remain closed...for security reasons, in light of the current tensions in the region.”.
Precautions
Joseph Hazboun, regional director of the CNEWA/Pontifical Mission for Palestine office in Jerusalem, said the decision was made as a precaution against possible attacks and to avoid mass gatherings during a period of high alert.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry reported on March 12 in X that a missile hit “a few hundred meters from the Old City, the Western Wall, the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The protection of lives and the safety of worshippers are paramount.” he said.
Hazboun said he expects Holy Week and Easter services to be held at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher with only religious and clergy, as happened during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Measures also affecting Muslims
Joseph Hazboun added that on March 15, “on the 27th of Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr - a particularly significant night for Muslims in Jerusalem and Palestine - the Israelis sealed off the Old City to prevent Muslims from entering and reaching Al-Aqsa (the mosque).”.
“Thousands of people ended up spending the night near the gates of the Old City. Moreover, even the residents of the Old City, including Christians, were not allowed to leave,” he said.
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Paulina Guzik is international editor of OSV News. You can follow her on X @Guzik_Paulina
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