With dwindling Christian presence on both sides of the Holy Land conflict, Christian leaders are desperately trying to maintain a meaningful Christian presence in the region.
Nestled amidst the historic hills of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the Holy Land holds a deep spiritual significance for Christians worldwide. However, the longstanding conflict between Israel and the Palestinian territories poses an existential threat to the Christian communities that have called this region home for centuries.
Today, Christians make up a mere 2% of the population in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and their numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate. Constant violence, political tensions, and economic instability have forced many Christians to flee, leaving behind their spiritual heritage and the land where their faith was born.
Christians in the Holy Land: Fighting to Keep the Faith Amidst Conflict
At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and resurrected, Franciscan friars continue their ancient traditions. But the once vibrant flow of pilgrims has dwindled to a trickle, leaving this sacred space eerily empty.
In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, Christian leaders are witnessing a mass exodus of their flock. The Church of the Nativity, a symbol of Christianity's earliest roots, is struggling to remain a source of comfort amidst the turmoil.
Christians in the Holy Land: Fighting to Keep the Faith Amidst Conflict
"If you lose the Christian community, or if the good people emigrate because of this instability – politically and economically – this means that we will lose a good part, an important part, of the identity of the holy places," said Rami Asakrieh, a Franciscan friar in Bethlehem.
The conflict has also taken a toll on the Christian economy, particularly in Bethlehem. Once a thriving tourist destination, the city's shops and hotels now stand empty, leaving many Christians unable to make a living.
Christians in the Holy Land: Fighting to Keep the Faith Amidst Conflict
Despite the challenges, Christian leaders are determined to keep the faith alive. They see their mission as one of reconciliation and peacemaking, bridging the divides between Israelis and Palestinians.
"We don't know what will happen with [the Palestinian territory] if they are an independent country, if they have a real government," Asakrieh said. "There is no comparison between Israel and [the Palestinian territory] now because for 76 years [it] has been suffering. There is no independence, there is not really a government because of the conflict with Israel."
Christians in the Holy Land: Fighting to Keep the Faith Amidst Conflict
Eamon Kelly, an Irish priest in the Legionnaires of Christ, believes that the Christian message of forgiveness and mercy can help heal the wounds inflicted by the conflict.
"When we are looking at Christians, we should expect Christians as part of our identity to have this part in our thoughts and our interactions," Kelly said. "There, negotiation is a key word."
Christians in the Holy Land: Fighting to Keep the Faith Amidst Conflict
Michèle Burke Bowe, a diplomat for the Order of Malta, sees the Catholic Church's lack of political power as a blessing in disguise.
"It doesn't have the protection of a state or constitution. It just exists because it's always existed, as it always existed, you know, for 2,000 years," she said. "And it's not looking for economic gain or political power. It's just looking to provide a safe place to worship and a way to relieve suffering."
Christians in the Holy Land: Fighting to Keep the Faith Amidst Conflict
However, the fight to keep the faith alive in the Holy Land is far from over. Missionaries and charity workers are facing overwhelming odds to continue their humanitarian work. Unless a sustainable and earnest effort is made on all sides to give room for Christian flourishing, there may soon come a day when there's hardly any Christians left in the cities where Jesus preached to their ancestors 2,000 years ago.
