JERUSALEM - On December 6, 2020, a Holy Mass was celebrated in the Basilica of Gethsemane in reparation of the act of vandalism that had taken place in the same Basilica on the afternoon of Friday, December 4, December.
The celebration presided by His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and concelebrated by Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, the Bishop Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo and the Vicar of the Custody, Fr. Dobromir Jasztal, was attended by His Excellency Archbihsop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio in Israel and Cyprus, and Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine, with a large group of priests.
Forgiveness and justice, but also consolation, reconciliation, and prayer were the central topics of the homily by Fr. Patton. Various messages of support were received from the authorities of the Churches, as well as from representatives of the Jewish and Muslim communities.
Solidarity was also expressed by Israeli and Palestinian figures and from other parts of the world.
