Cardinal fears for Jerusalem after Trump announcement

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, has voiced grave fears for Jerusalem after Donald Trump announced that the US would recognise the city as the capital of Israel. The Archbishop of Canterbury has also condemned the move.

In a series of tweets, Cardinal Nichols said this morning: "Today heed again the words of Pope Francis: Jerusalem is a 'unique city' that has 'a special vocation for peace'. I fear for Jerusalem today. I peray for its peace."

"Today we repeat the prayer of Pope Francis that the unique identity of Jerusalem be preserved and reinforced for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East, and the entire world."

"That wisdom and prudence prevail to avoid adding new elements of tension in a global panorama already convulsed by so many cruel conflicts.

I fear for Jerusalem its people today. I pray for its peace."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby tweeted: "The status quo of the City of Jerusalem is one of the few stable elements of hope for peace and reconciliation for Christians, Jews and Muslims in the Holy Lands. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem."

In January this year, after their annual visit to the region, the Bishops of the 2017 Holy Land Co-ordination released the following statement calling for 'prayer, awareness and action after 50 years of occupation in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza.: http://catholicnews.org.uk/hlc-final-communique-2017