Cardinal accepts apology after being turned away from Western Wall

Published: 2008-05-01

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- Cardinal Sean Brady of Armagh, Northern Ireland, has accepted an apology from the Israeli government after he was turned away from Jerusalem's Western Wall May 1 for wearing a cross. Cardinal Brady is leading an ecumenical delegation from Ireland that includes the leaders of the (Anglican) Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian and Methodist churches. The delegation attempted to make an unscheduled visit to the Western Wall, the holiest site within Judaism, after visiting the nearby al-Aqsa Mosque. Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan of Palestine and Jordan said that an Israeli security official initially agreed they could wear their crosses going through the Western Wall's checkpoint. However, a settler objected and threatened to confront the church leaders. Bishop Younan said the security official referred the matter to his superior officer and promised he would arrive at the scene to make a decision. After seven or eight minutes, Bishop Younan said Cardinal Brady decided that he could not risk a confrontation with the settler.

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