Cardinal Pizzaballa visits Christian village terrorized by Israeli settlers

(LifeSiteNews) — Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa traveled on Saturday to Taybeh — the last fully Christian village remaining in the West Bank — to celebrate Holy Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and stand in solidarity with a community besieged by Israeli settler terrorist attacks and a new restrictive military order.

Taybeh, home to around 1,500 residents and referred to in the Gospel of John as Ephraim — the place where Jesus Christ withdrew with his disciples before his Passion — has endured over a year of escalating systematic attacks from Jewish terrorists living in “settlements” and “outposts” all deemed illegal under international law.

Father Bashar Fawadleh, the Latin parish priest of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, has characterized the ongoing assaults as “a deliberate strategy of harassment” designed “to create a climate of fear and pressure Palestinian families into leaving their land.”

Additionally, on August 9, the U.S.-backed Israeli military (IDF) designated the “Taybeh and Rimon area” a closed military zone, prohibiting the entry and presence of Israelis and foreigners, with the town’s mayor describing the closure as “an attempt to further tighten the noose on villagers rather than a measure to protect them.”

Other Christian Palestinian critics have charged this step is to facilitate the town’s ethnic cleansing. “They want to do it in silence — without witnesses, without journalists, and without the world noticing,” activist Ihab Hassan wrote at the time.

British Bishop James Curry, lead bishop for the Holy Land for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, condemned the closure, warning it would cut off tourism income and international scrutiny while doubting it would actually protect the community from Israeli settler violence.

‘However powerful evil may appear, its power is not absolute’

Against this backdrop, Cardinal Pizzaballa was welcomed during the Holy Mass at Christ the Redeemer by Fr. Fawadleh, who described his presence as that of a father standing beside his children in difficult times and affirming that the Church stands with them, “carrying with them the cross and the hope of this land.”

According to a press release from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the cardinal drew upon the readings of the Mass — particularly the woman and the dragon in the Book of Revelation — declaring that “however powerful evil may appear, its power is not absolute.” He affirmed the woman in the prophetic passage to represent the Church in general and the Blessed Virgin Mary in particular.

The Franciscan cardinal described the Assumption as “a fruit of the Resurrection” and said the Blessed Mother teaches Christians to look at reality “with divine eyes” rather than according to human calculations. Connecting the message directly to Taybeh, he urged the people to remain rooted in faith and hope even when the future appears difficult or impossible.

“I may not have answers at the human and worldly level, but I believe in God. And I am certain that, in Him, we can continue to give birth to life, even here in Taybeh,” Pizzaballa said.

The Patriarch also confirmed the Church’s commitment to Taybeh and the Christian presence that has resided there since Jesus Christ walked on its soil. “We will continue to do everything within our power to preserve the ecclesial presence here, at every level throughout the Holy Land.”

In the face of such continued malicious evil, the pastor of souls emphasized the importance of guarding one’s heart from fear, despair and the effects of difficult circumstances.

“We must also learn from the Virgin Mary how to guard our hearts because this situation can contaminate our hearts. And if our hearts become contaminated, the ‘dragon’ has won,” Pizzaballa warned. “But we want to remain a community that gives birth to life, without giving up or abandoning our rights, our right to life. So be courageous. Do not be afraid.”

Aggressions by Jewish settler terrorists against Christians in Taybeh

Since at least July 2025, the Christians of Taybeh have been subjected to regular raids of aggression by heavily armed Jewish terrorists who have committed acts of arson to Palestinian Christian agricultural fields, including igniting a fire near the fifth-century Church of St. George and its cemetery, hurling Molotov cocktails at homes and attempting to ignite a gas station.

They have set many vehicles ablaze and written threatening graffiti across private property, brought their livestock to graze upon private Christian Palestinian lands, roamed the streets heavily armed terrorizing residents, with reports of gunfire upon Christian citizens, and more, all in a climate of impunity provided by the occupying Israeli army.

In a Vatican News interview released last week, Fr. Fawadleh detailed a recent August 5 intrusion in which settler terrorists repeatedly broke into a newly prepared family home from his parish, occupied the land, cut through fencing, and drove a flock of sheep right up to the house. “As I speak to you right now, those same settlers have returned to pitch tents on the property,” he said at the time, calling it “an incredibly difficult situation to endure.”

Cardinal reassures Taybeh Christians of Church’s solidarity

In Pizzaballa’s remarks, he affirmed that he is in regular contact with Fr. Fawadleh receiving updates on developments regarding this ancient Christian community, expressing his gratitude to the priest for his service and daily follow-up.

The cardinal assured that what is happening in Taybeh is increasingly known beyond the town itself, adding, “Your example is important, that we continue as a Christian voice in the midst of this very complex situation.”

Concluding the Mass, he prayed that the Virgin Mary’s intercession would watch over Taybeh’s families and mothers, and that the town would continue to be “a place and a locus of joy and life.”

Afterward, Cardinal Pizzaballa met with the parishioners, speaking with them and reaffirming the Church’s solidarity with Taybeh and its people.

Those who wish to provide concrete support in defending these West Bank Christian communities may visit VPP’s Stand with West Bank Christians page here.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, visits the Christian village of Taybeh—the last entirely Christian village in Palestine—stressing the importance of preserving its Christian presence following repeated attacks by Israeli settlers and the Israeli… pic.twitter.com/P98On0WV4q

— Ihab Hassan (@IhabHassane) August 17, 2026

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