Jerusalem’s reigning Catholic cleric canceled or postponed multiple religious events due to wartime security concerns as the Iran conflict rages on.
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa announced in a letter on Monday that the Palm Sunday procession was canceled and the Chrism Mass postponed. The traditional reenactment of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem will be replaced by a moment of prayer at a currently undisclosed location.
“The cancellation decision was made to abide by the rules and regulations, as the country is in an emergency state, prohibiting gatherings for safety reasons,” a Patriarchate spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation when reached for comment.
“Due to the war, we were unable to experience the traditional Lenten journey in Jerusalem,” Pizzaballa writes. “The restrictions imposed by the conflict and the events of recent days do not bode well for any imminent improvement.”
Cardinal Pizzaballa emphasized the Church is in “constant dialogue with the competent authorities” amid “constantly evolving” wartime circumstances. On March 17, less than one week before the Cardinal’s decision, Iranian missile fragments hit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
“The Iranian regime is targeting the holy sites of Christianity, Islam & Judaism. Nothing is sacred to this regime,” Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated after the strike.
“It is already clear, however, that ordinary celebrations open to all cannot take place,” Pizzaballa continues. “The traditional Palm Sunday procession, which goes up to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, to Jerusalem is canceled.”
The Chrism Mass, an annual blessing of oils used in several Catholic sacraments, was also postponed. A new date will be determined “as soon as the situation allows,” according to the Latin Patriarch’s letter. The Cardinal emphasized that churches in the Diocese will remain open despite these changes.
In place of the traditional proceedings, Cardinal Pizzaballa requested that Catholics pray the rosary on March 28, “especially for those suffering because of the conflict.”
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