BREAKING Catholic Patriarchate Condemns the "brutal and heinous attack" on a French Nun in Jerusalem saying Attacks are a "recurring pattern"
According to Abouna, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the “brutal and heinous attack” on a French nun in Jerusalem last Tuesday, which resulted in the arrest of a suspect, calling on the Israeli authorities to ensure that such attacks are not repeated .
Bishop William Shomali, the Latin Patriarchal Vicar General of Jerusalem, stated that the attack on the French nun in Jerusalem was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a recurring pattern, particularly in the area of the Tomb of David and Mount Zion, where attacks on clergy, Christians, and pilgrims are frequent. He explained that these acts are perpetrated by "a small, ideologically driven, and hateful group," adding that the root of the problem lies in "religious bigotry and a flawed upbringing that views those who are different as enemies to be eliminated."
In a televised statement, Bishop Shomali indicated that the French nun volunteers at the Dominican Fathers' library, one of the most important libraries specializing in the Bible in Jerusalem, and that she was attacked "for no reason other than being a nun." He added that the nun sustained bruises and was later taken to the hospital after a police report was filed. She has since returned to her normal life but is still suffering from psychological trauma. He emphasized that "the attack was not innocent but rather heinous and brutal."
For his part, Farid Jabran, advisor for public and governmental affairs at the Latin Patriarchate, expressed his strong condemnation of the incident in a statement to Crux , saying: “It is a disgusting and brutal hate crime committed against a peaceful nun. It is the duty of the authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice and to take clear and effective deterrent measures to ensure that such acts are not tolerated or repeated.”
Israeli police released a video Thursday evening documenting the attack and the suspect's arrest. The video shows a man running after the nun, pushing her to the ground, and kicking her before being apprehended with the help of several bystanders. Police had announced in a statement published on the X platform Wednesday that they had opened an investigation following the report of the incident, confirming the arrest of a 36-year-old man .
Police said they viewed the violence, which they believe may be racially motivated and directed against members of the clergy, with the utmost seriousness, reiterating their "zero tolerance" policy toward any attacks targeting clergy or religious groups. They added, "In a city holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, we are committed to protecting all communities and ensuring that those responsible for acts of violence are held accountable." Police also released a photograph showing injuries and bruises to the French nun's head .
According to Dominican Father Olivier Poquillon, director of the French College of Biblical and Archaeological Studies in Jerusalem, the 48-year-old nun works as a researcher at the school and was attacked near the Cenacle, the site of the Last Supper on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
Bocqueron explained to AFP that the nun, who did not wish to speak publicly, "felt someone approaching from behind and forcefully pushing her against a rock," adding, "While she was on the ground, the man began kicking her repeatedly." He also condemned the attack via the X platform, describing it as an "unjustified assault" and an "act of sectarian violence."
The French Consulate General in Jerusalem expressed its wishes for the nun's speedy recovery and called for the perpetrator to be held accountable and for justice to be served . The Faculty of Humanities at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem also issued a statement expressing its "deep shock and strong condemnation," considering the incident to be part of "a disturbing pattern of escalating hostility against Christians and their symbols."
For its part, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, via its “X” platform, condemned what it described as a “heinous act,” asserting that “violence against innocent people, especially against members of religious groups, has no place in Israeli society.” The statement added that this attack “directly contradicts the values of respect, coexistence, and religious freedom upon which Israel was founded,” and expressed solidarity with the nun and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem .
This attack comes weeks after an international outcry sparked by a photograph of an Israeli soldier smashing the head of a statue of Jesus Christ in the southern Lebanese town of Dibil. Italy and Israel donated replacement statues, with the Italian statue being used to replace the damaged one. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the new statue as "a powerful message of peace, hope, and dialogue."
Source: Abouna.org
Image of Bishop Shomali from the Facebook Page of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Comments