CV NEWS FEED // A collective of Christian leaders in Jerusalem are speaking out against the latest move by the Jerusalem municipality to impose municipal taxes on church properties.
According to a June 24 article published by the Jerusalem Post, the heads of churches released a statement following the announcement, calling on the municipality to reverse its decision, and “uphold the historically sanctioned status quo.”
Catholic Church leaders listed as signatories on the statement include Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Latin Patriarchate and Custos of the Holy Land, Fr Francesco Patton, OFM, as well as the heads of Armenian, Maronite, and Melkite rites.
Leaders from the Armenian Apostolic, Greek, Coptic, Syrian, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches are also listed, in addition to heads of Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran Churches.
“We declare that such a measure both undermines the sacred character of Jerusalem and jeopardizes the Church’s ability to conduct its ministry in this land on behalf of its communities and the worldwide church,” the statement reads.
The church leaders emphasized the vital role Christian churches have played in Jerusalem society, including monetary contributions to schools, hospitals, and other humanitarian efforts. Notably, they pointed out that civil authorities have long recognized these contributions, and therefore not subjected Christian churches to municipal taxes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously vowed to stop the municipality from taxing Christian churches in 2018, after Jerusalem authorities announced that they would collect NIS 650 million – equivalent to nearly $173 million – in property taxes from churches that were not being used as places of worship, according to the Jerusalem Post.
