Archeparchy of Haifa condemns attack on Maronite prayer hall in Nahariya

Vatican News

“This is a grave and unacceptable attack, not only against Church property,” but “above all against the sacred character of a place dedicated to worship and against the right of the faithful to practice their religion freely, safely and with dignity."

Archbishop Moussa El-Hage of the Maronite Archeparchy of Haifa, said this in a statement expressing its dismay following the desecration of the Maronite prayer hall of Saints Peter and Paul in Nahariya by unidentified individuals on November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints.

Members of the Christian community in Nahariya, a city of 60,000 inhabitants in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, were shocked on Sunday when the faithful discovered broken statues and vandalized religious images inside the prayer hall.

Unidentified individuals had entered the premises, “damaged and destroyed its contents, and violated its sacred character.”

In this context, the Archeparchy stressed, “The sacred character of the houses of God can never be compromised or negotiated," reiterating that "freedom of worship is a sacred right that must be respected and protected for all, without exception.”

“Places of worship, regardless of their denomination or religion, must be preserved and protected against violence, vandalism and desecration,” the Maronite Archeparchy of Haifa wrote, stressing that “such acts can neither be justified nor tolerated."

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These acts, it continued, run counter to the most fundamental human and moral principles,” as well as to “the values of coexistence and mutual respect that should unite the inhabitants of this land, regardless of their religious or community affiliations.”

The Maronite Archeparchy of Haifa, which said it firmly condemns these acts of vandalism and expresses its profound indignation, called on the competent authorities and security services to “assume their responsibilities and act immediately and decisively to investigate this attack.”

They noted that those responsible must be identified, apprehended and brought to justice, it maintains, “so that they may be punished in accordance with the law.

"We also demand," the Archeparchy insisted, "that the necessary measures be taken to protect this place of worship and prevent any recurrence of such acts,” noting the community's faithful has “no intention of being deterred from exercising our inalienable right to prayer and worship.”

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The Christian community, it noted, “will continue to use this hall and hold our prayers there, with faith, determination and serenity, while awaiting the conclusion of the judicial proceedings and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.”

The Maronite Archeparchy recalled it is firmly against responding to evil with evil, or to vandalism with hatred.

“We remain steadfast in our faith and in our mission, founded on love, peace and human dignity,” they reassured. "Forgiveness does not mean remaining silent in the face of aggression, and love does not mean relinquishing our rights. Seeking justice is a duty from which we cannot shirk.”

The statement concluded with a prayer to God, "asking Him to protect our people, preserve our places of worship, inspire those in positions of authority to fulfil their duty, and make this land a place of peace, justice and security for all its inhabitants.”