Jerusalem patriarch sends strong message to Palestinian Christians

Published: 2008-03-10

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- A Palestinian Christian must be prepared to witness to the faith by submitting to daily difficulties "or even by sacrificing his or her life," said Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Jerusalem in a pastoral letter marking the end of his patriarchal ministry. In his most strongly worded comment to date on growing Palestinian Muslim extremism, the patriarch likened such an era of Christian martyrdom to that suffered by first-century Christians under the Roman Empire and said it would "purify life in all of society." "It would strengthen the believers in their faith and would again give a new face to all society," the patriarch added in his letter, dated March 1 and released to the press March 6. On March 19, Patriarch Sabbah turns 75 and, according to canon law, must submit his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI. In the 40-page letter, Patriarch Sabbah noted that while good relations exist between Muslim civil and religious authorities and there is good "secular coexistence," the situation "becomes explosive" when issues of dogma and family are involved. Mediation is needed, he said.

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