Vandalism at Maronite prayer hall in Israel prompts Catholic leaders to call for protective measures, investigation

A Maronite prayer hall in Nahariya, Israel, was vandalized Nov. 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, leaving broken statues and damaged religious images and prompting the Maronite Archeparchy of Haifa to call for protective measures and an investigation, according to Vatican News. 

Archbishop Moussa El-Hage of the Maronite Archeparchy said in a statement that the vandalism “is a grave and unacceptable attack, not only against Church property” but “above all against the sacred character of a place dedicated to worship and against the right of the faithful to practice their religion freely, safely and with dignity.” 

The outlet reports that the archbishop issued the statement after the faithful discovered the vandalism in the prayer hall at Saints Peter and Paul in the city close to the border with Lebanon. 

Vatican News also posted photos of the vandalism, which included a torn or slashed image of Christ on the cross, crumpled altar cloths, and broken statues strewn across the floor. 

Posted by Vatican News in its Nov. 2 report, one photo shows a note left in the prayer all that reads in English, “To a deeply valued community”, “i am so sorry”, “i dont know what came over me to make me do that” and “please forgive me”. 

The Jerusalem Post reported that Father Yosef Taakov, spokesperson for the Maronite community in Israel, said the note was left on the altar and that the vandalism was discovered at about 5:30 p.m. local time. He emphasized that the motive and identity of the person, or persons, responsible remains unknown and that the community is waiting for the police to investigate. He also said the vandalism has caused distress, anger, and concerns for safety among members of the community. 

The Maronite Archeparchy of Haifa said in a statement that it firmly condemns the vandalism, stressing that violence, vandalism and desecration “can neither be justified nor tolerated,” according to Vatican News. Such acts contradict basic human and moral principles and run counter to “the values of coexistence and mutual respect that should unite the inhabitants of this land, regardless of their religious or community affiliations,” the archeparchy added. 

The archeparchy called on security services and authorities to immediately act and investigate the attack, stressing that those responsible must be apprehended and brought to justice. 

According to Vatican News, the archeparchy said, “We also demand that the necessary measures be taken to protect this place of worship and prevent any recurrence of such acts,” adding that the Christian community has “no intention of being deterred from exercising our inalienable right to prayer and worship.”

The Maronite Archeparchy also emphasized in its statement that it is strongly against responding to evil with evil and that it remains strong in its faith and mission, founded on love. 

"Forgiveness does not mean remaining silent in the face of aggression, and love does not mean relinquishing our rights,” it added. “Seeking justice is a duty from which we cannot shirk.”

According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel Police said in a statement that it “views seriously any violation of holy places and freedom of worship, and will act decisively, exhausting all means at its disposal to locate those responsible for the act and bring them to justice.”