Priests 'broom fighting' in Bethlehem

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I just got an article from National Catholic Reporter this morning that provided an article from a blog…and the Roman rite priest was given very strict instructions not to do certain things or else he would set off an international incident.

So far I don’t see anything about the Franciscan Friars causing trouble…yet…for January 7…
 
I was reading an article yesterday on National Catholic Register online…Monsignor Charles Pope wrote about his visit to the Holy Land…‘In Jerusalem, he was led by a guard to say Mass at the seat of mercy, and took the same path Christ was led up the hillside not for His protection, but for our salvation’…and ‘he felt great sadness in Jerusalem.’

Monsignor said how much need there is to look at the Cross…He gave his reflection and shared with us the parameters he had to follow or else he could unintentionally cause an international incident.

Loading 31, 2011
Orthodox Priests Fighting In Church of the Nativity - A Personal Reflection - Community in Mission

What is particularly sad as well is that these ethnic divisions are preventing repairs done on the Church of the Nativity as well as another Christian site in Jerusalem…

I sincerely hope people will take time to read his reflection and increase their prayers for the return of the Orthodox to the Holy Father, whose function is as well the unity of one Church.
 
Funny thing is the police were very likely Muslims. Muslims have been arbitrating disputes between Christian denominations in the Holy Land for a very long time.
wwolverine said:
Its really shocking to read the news that the priests who are supposed to clean the church ended up fighting with each other.

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079328/Priests-brawl-Bethlehems-Church-Nativity-clergy-fight-Christmas-cleaning.html#ixzz1hwcPMmEl

Was that Christian, and how can we show we are a peaceful religion? How dows the world see us now?
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Yes…they are Muslim…atleast one here thinks it is cute the Orthodox are using brooms…

When the Muslims conquered the Holy Land, there were benvolent Muslims who did respect the faith of Jews and Christians, and of course, for them and their descendants we owe them our gratitude and respect.
 
I seen the footage of this on the news. Centurys of fustrations. Im sure they all regret it today.
 
NCRegister.com, December 31, has the article…the guide explains all the details the Roman Catholic priest has to follow or else.

I said, ‘Reporter’…sorry…

If I recall correctly, this time…they were fist fighting a few years ago…
 
Methos:

There are Armenian communities scattered all across the middle east. I know various Islamic rulers employed Armenian workers during the middle ages as they were highly skilled in construction and in other areas. During Ottoman times, I suspect Armenian communites formed outside of Armenia as a result of persecution
 
wwolverine said:
Its really shocking to read the news that the priests who are supposed to clean the church ended up fighting with each other.

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079328/Priests-brawl-Bethlehems-Church-Nativity-clergy-fight-Christmas-cleaning.html#ixzz1hwcPMmEl

Was that Christian, and how can we show we are a peaceful religion? How dows the world see us now?
Click to expand...
As long as we trivialize episstemology, the arbitrary and unnecessary differences in religions, politics, and culture will descend into violence, even over such trivial triggers as a broom crossing a line.
 
Methos said:
Thanks for the book recommendation. I can understand the Greeks and Catholics being there, as it was former Roman Empire territory, but I always wondered why the Armenians were there
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No problem - I read it and really liked the history. My niece is interested in the book and also wants to learn about the history. A couple of years back, my brother and his family traveled through Turkey and went to the Holy site, Blessed Mary’s house or as they call it “House of the Virgin” - In Turkish the House is called Panaya Kapulu (“Doorway to the Virgin”). Every year pilgrims made a pilgrimage to the site on August 15, the date on which most of the Christian world celebrated Mary’s Dormition/Assumption.

My sister in law couldn’t believe how many people from all religious movement came to the Holy site, even she said that there is a sense of “peace”, that is a miracle - even today. However, there’s another book that I’m going to read, when I get the chance “The Armenians in Jerusalem and the Holy Land” peeters-leuven.be/boekoverz.asp?nr=7672
 
Methos said:
Thanks for the book recommendation. I can understand the Greeks and Catholics being there, as it was former Roman Empire territory, but I always wondered why the Armenians were there
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Armenia is ancient, and is the first nation to have become officially Christian.
 
KathleenGee said:
Do the Franciscan Friars also have a history fighting with the brooms?
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I think the problem with the Armenians and the Greek Orthodox is they share essentially the same area with a dividing line somewhere in there. Remember that they follow an archaic form of property possession law which states that the section you care for is your section. Therefore if one’s broom were to cross the boundary, it is seen as an act of possession of that section.

The Catholic section I believe is underneath the main church where the actual place of the Nativity was. Therefore the Franciscans do not have the same problem as the Orthodox and Armenians do.
 
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