Jerusalem – Anti-Christian slogans were written on the doors and walls of the Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion. The new act of vandalism against the Benedictine monastery took place on Sunday, January 17, the same day that Pope Francis paid tribute to the Jewish community in Rome. As reported by the official media of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, some of the slogans written on the doors and walls of the Abbey included: «Death to the heathen Christians, the enemies of Israel», «Let his (Jesus’) name and memory be obliterated» and «Christians in hell».
The new act of sectarian vandalism happens three weeks after the vandalism against the Salesian convent in Beit Gemal (see Fides 09/01/2016). It is part of a series of acts of intimidation committed against Christian monasteries which started in February 2012. Since then, extremist groups close to the settler movement have led attacks against places of worship – churches and mosques – frequented by the Arab population.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement strongly condemning the recent attack and said that “the unique remedy for such behaviour is to control the kind of education given in the schools where these young children are educated, and to follow up those who incite intolerance against Christians”. The Patriarchate also expressed the hope “that the perpetrators will be arrested before proposed threats are carried out”.
Source: Fides News
