Jerusalem: Church leaders in Jerusalem have confirmed that Easter celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will go ahead after an agreement was reached with Israeli authorities.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land said all arrangements for Holy Week and Easter have been settled in coordination with the authorities. Access has been granted to representatives of the Churches to carry out liturgies and preserve long standing traditions at the sacred site.
The agreement comes a day after an unusual incident in which Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Father Francesco Ielpo were stopped by Israeli police while attempting to enter the church for Palm Sunday prayers. Church officials described it as the first such occurrence in centuries.
Despite the agreement, restrictions linked to the ongoing conflict remain in place. Public gatherings will be limited, and many faithful will not be able to attend in person. To ensure participation, Churches will stream liturgies and prayers online for people in the Holy Land and around the world.
Church leaders also expressed gratitude to Isaac Herzog for his intervention, along with other international leaders who showed support during the situation.
In their statement, the religious authorities highlighted the importance of religious freedom, especially during times of conflict. They noted that faith is a shared value among different communities and stressed the need to protect the right to worship.
The Church said it will continue dialogue with authorities while praying for peace in the region. It also reaffirmed its commitment to mutual respect and to maintaining the long established arrangements governing the holy places.