Delhi prays for Palestine’s Christians

(April 18, 2011) Christian groups held a candlelight vigil in the Indian capital New Delhi on Sunday in a show of solidarity with Palestinians denied access to sacred sites in the Holy Land. Palm Sunday, which marks the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, was a fitting time to remember the plight of Palestinian Christians, said organizers of the event at the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. “We express our solidarity and extend support to the Palestinians in their resistance to all forms of oppression, occupation and violence,” said Father Charles Irudayam, secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) commission for Peace and Justice. Adli Sadeq, Palestinian ambassador to India, told the gathering, “If we give-up our Holy Land we have no right to call ourselves Christians.” Comprehensive peace is needed in the Holy Land, Sadeq said, calling for solidarity and support to bring peace. Father Dominic Emmanuel, spokesperson of Delhi archdiocese said Jerusalem continues to be emptied of its Palestinian citizens, Christians and Muslims. It is sad that during this Holy Week Christians in Jerusalem cannot visit places of worship. Their identity cards are confiscated, which means the loss of their right to reside in Jerusalem. The vigil was organized by the CBCI commission for Justice and Peace along with the Indian Solidarity Ecumenical Network - Kairos Palestine (ISEN-KP), comprising of the National Council of Churches in India, Young Women Christian Association and the Palestine-Israel Ecumenical Forum.