(OSV News): The Church of the Holy Sepulchre remains a place of continuous prayer despite restricted access for the faithful, according to a statement released on March 21 by the Custody of the Holy Land, which also noted that uncertainty continues regarding the upcoming Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
The friars—now left to pray without the faithful and unsure how long the restrictions will last—appealed to Catholics around the world to “unite in prayer that the war and violence may cease, and that the paths of dialogue, diplomacy, and responsible political action may be pursued, as they are the only ways capable of building a just and lasting peace,” the statement said, describing the turbulent period as a “time of trial.”
The statement said, “In recent days, various reports have circulated regarding the closure [of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre] and “the celebration of the upcoming Easter liturgies. In this regard, the Custody of the Holy Land considers it appropriate to offer some clarifications.”
The Franciscan community responsible for the site emphasised that religious life within the basilica has not ceased.
“The community of Franciscan friars present at the Holy Sepulchre has never ceased, day or night, to carry out the scheduled celebrations, the rites, the daily processions, and the liturgical prayers according to the provisions of the Status Quo,” the statement said.
“Even during these days, although access to the Basilica is restricted to the faithful for security reasons, prayer continues unceasingly in the Holy Places,” it said.
The statement comes amid the ongoing US and Israel-Iran war that has affected access to religious sites in Jerusalem at a time that typically draws large numbers of pilgrims.
