Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne has said he was deeply shaken by witnessing the situation of Christians in the Holy Land, calling for support and stating that the world “cannot ignore what is happening”. The comments came as part of the cardinal’s three-day visit to the Holy Land from August 24 to 27.
The visit saw Cardinal Woelki travel to Taybeh, the last Christian village in Palestine. The village has come under repeated attacks by settlers which has drawn international attention. While there, he spoke with the owner of a cement factory, who told him that the settlers had destroyed its machines and equipment and vandalised vehicles. The owner said the attack led to the loss of 40 families’ livelihoods who had relied on the factory for their employment.
