Jerusalem’s Holy Week Deal: Conciliar Capitulation to Secularism

The NC Register/CNA reports that on March 30, 2026, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Custody of the Holy Land—both integral parts of the post-conciliar ecclesiastical structure—announced a temporary agreement with Israeli authorities regarding Holy Week access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. This followed an incident where Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin “patriarch,” and Father Francesco Ielpo, the “custos,” from entering the basilica to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The deal allows clergy to celebrate liturgies with restrictions on public gatherings, permitting only livestreaming for the faithful. International criticism, particularly from European leaders, framed the initial restriction as a violation of “freedom of worship.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the measures on “security” grounds before reversing course following diplomatic pressure. The Vatican’s Secretariat of State expressed “regret” and noted the agreement. This episode lays bare the fundamental apostasy of the conciliar hierarchy: its complete surrender to the naturalistic principles of secular liberalism and its utter abandonment of the supernatural reign of Christ the King over all nations, including the Holy Land.