Church leaders and political leaders mark Palm Sunday with solidarity vigil
Christian groups held a candlelight vigil in New Delhi yesterday to show solidarity with Palestinians denied access to sacred sites in the Holy Land. Palm Sunday, which marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, was a fitting time to remember the plight of Palestinian Christians, organizers of the event at the Sacred Heart Cathedral said. “The situation there is very bad, we feel sorry for Palestine Christians,” said Father Charles Irudayam, secretary of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India’s (CBCI) commission for Peace and Justice. “We express our solidarity and extend support to the Palestinians in their resistance to all forms of oppression, occupation and violence.” “If we give-up our Holy Land we have no right to call ourselves Christians," Adli Sadeq, Palestinian ambassador to India, told the crowd. Sadeq said comprehensive peace is needed in the Holy Land and “we need your solidarity and support to bring peace." Father Dominic Emmanuel, spokesperson of Delhi archdiocese said Jerusalem continues to be emptied of its Palestinian citizens, Christians and Muslims. It is sad that during this Holy Week Christians in Jerusalem cannot visit places of worship. Their identity cards are confiscated, which means the loss of their right to reside in Jerusalem. CBCI commission for Justice and Peace along with Indian Solidarity Ecumenical Network – Kairos Palestine (ISEN-KP), comprising of National Council of Churches in India, Young Women Christian Association and the Palestine-Israel Ecumenical Forum organized the program. Related Reports Interreligious Forum Asserts Israel-Palestine Clash Is PoliticalChurch Leaders In Pakistan Condemn Violence In Palestine
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