Holy Land: US church leaders protest at Israel's plans to confiscate and tax Church properties

Grafitti on Jerusalem Baptist church

Source: USCCB

Cardinal Daniel N DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has joined other leaders from the US Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA), and Armenian Churches in urging Israel to not confiscate church lands or tax church properties. In the joint letter addressed to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat, the Church leaders express deep concern that the measure would "…jeopardize the very survival of the Christian community in the Holy Land." A second letter has been sent by the US signatories to all the heads of churches in the Holy Land pledging to continue to press the Israeli government on their behalf.

The full statement to the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Jerusalem follows:

"As heads of churches and communions in the United States, we write to express our strong concern about recent legal proposals and tax plans that would severely inhibit the work of the churches in and around Jerusalem. If enacted, these measures would have the effect of creating a situation that jeopardizes the very survival of the Christian community in the Holy Land.

We have expressed to the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, in the enclosed letter, our firm solidarity with them during this crisis, including by strong advocacy before our own government.

We know of the myriad of activities in which the churches there are engaged, such as education, health care and pilgrimages, and we recognize that they are integral to the churches' mission and of major benefit to the Jerusalem community beyond the churches.

We ask that you end measures that disrupt the Status Quo. We have pledged to the church leaders in Jerusalem our unwavering support for all peaceful and lawful measures they may pursue to ensure the preservation and flourishing of the Christian community now and in the future."

The full letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mayor Nir Barkat can be found at: www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/ecumenical-and-interreligious/upload/Letter-of-concern-about-recent-legal-proposals-and-tax-plans-affecting-churches-13-March-2018.pdf

The full letter to the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem can be found at: www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/ecumenical-and-interreligious/upload/Letter-to-heads-of-churches-at-the-Holy-Sepulchre-13-March-2018.pdf