During a recent visit to Palestine’s last remaining entirely Christian village, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem called for the Christian presence in the village to be preserved.
Located in the central Ramallah highlands of the Palestinian West Bank, Taybeh has been suffering increasingly violent incursions from Israeli settlers for more than a year.
Earlier this month, the Israeli military closed Taybeh to non-residents, a restriction that a military spokesperson said only applies to Israelis and had been enacted because of “several violent attacks by Israelis in the region.”
During a visit this weekend to the beleaguered village, Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, said he would do everything possible to ensure there was a Christian presence there.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to preserve the church’s presence here, at every level, throughout the Holy Land,” he said.
His visit was on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15 and during Mass he expressed his support for the people of Taybeh.
“I may not have answers on a human or worldly level, but I believe in God. And I am certain that, in him, we can continue to bring life, even here in Taybeh,” Pizzaballa said.
Reflecting on the day’s readings, particularly the woman and the dragon in Revelation, Pizzaballa said it was important to remember that evil’s power is not absolute and fear and despair should be avoided.
“We must also learn from the Virgin Mary how to guard our hearts, because this situation can contaminate our hearts. And if our hearts become contaminated, the ‘dragon’ has won,” he said.
“But we want to remain a community that gives birth to life, without giving up or abandoning our rights, our right to life. So be courageous. Do not be afraid,” he added.
“Your example is important, so that we can continue to be a Christian voice amid this very complex situation,” Pizzaballa said.
Pizzaballa celebrated the Mass alongside Father Bashar Fawadleh and Father Davide Meli. Fawadleh said that Pizzaballa’s presence was like a father standing beside his children during difficulties.
Taybeh received him “among his people and in his home” Fawadleh said.
Though the surrounding area is dotted with encroaching illegal Israeli settlements, Taybeh had remained a relatively quiet and secure center of life and commerce, with ancient churches and archaeological treasures dating back to the Roman era, along with thriving local businesses.
By July of last year, the settlers had begun to come for the village.
Earlier this month, Fawadleh had an interview with Vatican News shortly after settlers broke into the home of one of the families in his parish, which he said was “not an isolated incident.”
RELATED: Israeli settlers creating ‘climate of fear’ for West Bank Christians
“It is a deliberate strategy of harassment designed to create a climate of fear and [to] pressure Palestinian families into leaving their land. We give thanks to God that the family is physically safe,” he added.
“Many families across the west, east, and south of Taybeh are suffering from this settler violence. As they always do, they have been setting fire to vacant land. Most recently, they torched a hillside southeast of the village. The Israeli settlers come to cause harm and occupy the land,” Fawadleh added.
This past Sunday, Pope Leo XIV appealed for an end to violence against Palestinian Christians and called on the international community to increase diplomatic and mediation efforts.
RELATED: Pope appeals for persecuted Palestinian Christians as violence continues
“I renew my appeal for an end to the ongoing violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank,” Leo told pilgrims and tourists gathered for the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday outside the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.
“I urgently call on the international community to work toward advancing the two-state solution, for a just and lasting peace,” Leo also said.
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