Easter Message of Christian leaders of Holy Land

(April 2, 2010) The heads of Churches of the Holy Land admit they know the "power of evil" and the struggles Christians face but they affirm they also know the "power of the Resurrection." This is the message proclaimed by 13 Christian leaders in a joint Easter statement. Among the signatories are the Latin rite Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad Twal and the Franciscan custodian of the Holy Land, Capuchin priest Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa. "Our message to you, whether near or far, is one of hope, encouragement and perseverance," the leaders wrote. "We know the power of despair," they affirmed. "We know the power of evil. We know the power of the 'principalities and powers' of this world which promote agendas of division and oppression to bring harm to God's people throughout God's creation. "We also know the power of the Resurrection. We know the power of God to bring hope out of despair. We know the power of God in Christ to confront those same 'principalities and powers' to promote faith, mutual respect, compassion and courage to speak the truth to benefit all of God's people." The Christian leaders observed that every generation of believers has faced challenges. "Our current generation is no different than those who have gone before us," they affirmed. "The Christian Church faces struggles here in this land and yet we continue to be full of hope that we are at one and the same time the Church of Calvary and the Church of the Resurrection." The signatories asked prayers in their struggle for justice, peace and reconciliation, so that when Jesus returns he will not again weep for Jerusalem but share in their joy of unity, respect and love for all people in the Holy Land. This year, Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants will celebrate Easter on the same date.