Proposed land laws in Holy Land rejected by top Christians

Proposed land laws in Holy Land rejected by top Christians Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, England. Photo: CNS
In Brief

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminister, backed the Patriarch of Jerusalem in his campaign to preserve the place of Christians in the Holy Land as it exists now.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch, Theophilos III, warned Cardinal Nichols that the current ‘Status Quo’ agreement that protects land tenure in Jerusalem is at risk, as a new proposed bill would restrict the right of Churches to deal independently with their land.

“Jerusalem’s Status Quo should be respected. It is a city holy to three faiths and Christians are an important and integral part of this community. The continuing presence of Christians as bridge builders across the Holy Land is essential for all who wish to live in peace,” Cardinal Nichols told The Tablet.