Following the move today by Israeli police to block Church leaders from celebrating Mass in the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Archbishop Richard Moth said:
"I share the pain of the people of the Holy Land who meet in peace to celebrate their faith. Today, the Latin Patriarch and the Custos sought to celebrate Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Despite voluntarily responding to the security requirements of the Israeli authorities, they were blocked by Israeli police and denied that right in a clear denial of freedom of worship.
"Assuring the faithful of the Holy Land of our prayerful support as we enter Holy Week, we pray ever more intently for peace across the world and particularly at this time for our brothers and sisters in the very place where the Lord's passion took place. Our prayer at this time is to follow the Lord's message to reject violence and to promote reconciliation and peace."
