Top Vatican envoy to Palestine, hundreds of Christians denied entry into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Filipino Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, the Apostolic Delegate and Vatican Ambassador to Palestine, and the faithful were barred from entering the sacred site by Israeli forces.

The Palestine Church described the move as a violation of religious freedom.

The Israeli forces who implemented tight security around the holy site were reported to have denied Christians entry into the holy site.

Church leaders said Israeli forces militarized the religious event, adding that it violates religious rights.

In a post, the Dominus Est said, “It has been confirmed that this may be upon the request of the Greek Orthodox, for them to celebrate their rites without interruption or distraction. Nevertheless, let us unite in prayer for religious freedom and peace in the Holy Land.

The Israeli forces enforced the restriction on the day of the Holy Fire ceremony, an important occasion in the Orthodox Easter calendar that gathers thousands of worshippers.

“Let us pray for the faithful in the Holy Land, as it has been reported that Israeli authorities barred the Apostolic Nuncio in Jerusalem, Filipino Archbishop Adolfo Tito Yllana, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a holy site sacred to all Christians,” the Dominus Est said. “The Nuncio is the diplomatic representative of the Pope and serves as the Vatican’s ambassador to a country or region.”

The worshippers continued to move to Jerusalem despite the restrictions enforced by the authorities to demonstrate their commitment to the Holy Fire ritual and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.