The Abbot of the German-speaking Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition in Jerusalem detailed the community's reaction to the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East. The monks were at the Tabgha Priory on the Sea of Galilee when Israel and the United States launched retaliatory strikes. A recent influx of pilgrimage groups from Western and Central Europe had provided a 'glimmer of hope' for the financial stability of the Christian community, which heavily relies on tourism. This fragile hope was immediately shattered by a rocket alarm during a community meeting, forcing everyone into the air-raid shelter. The abbey employs 24 local staff members whose livelihoods are tied to the continuation of pilgrimage tourism.
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A new Middle East war erupted on February 28, 2026, with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.1
Iran retaliated against U.S. bases, Israel, and involved Hezbollah, leading to strikes in Tehran and Beirut as the conflict entered its seventh day by March 6.1
Jerusalem experienced frequent sirens early on, but the situation calmed somewhat, though security restrictions closed holy sites including Dormition Abbey.1 2
Dormition Abbey on Mount Zion has become an "island of hope in an ocean of suffering," sheltering diverse groups during alarms.1
On March 4, Jews, Christians, and Muslims, including students, gathered in the shelter, fostering curiosity about each other's faiths rather than division.1
Earlier at Tabgha Priory, about 60 people—monks, staff, volunteers from the U.S., Hong Kong, Philippines, a Palestinian driver, and French pilgrims—sheltered together, singing and praying in multiple languages.2
Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel highlighted the "wonderful" sight of interreligious students sharing concerns for all suffering, including frightened children across the region.1
In Jerusalem, the abbey hosts interreligious studies with Christian and Muslim theology students from Germany, emphasizing fraternity amid war.2
Schnabel declares himself "pro-human," rejecting sides in Israel-Palestine or the broader conflict, and laments risks to humanity from the violence.1 2
Despite public closure by Israeli police on March 3, the Benedictines maintain full liturgical life, including daily Eucharist, now in the protected crypt.1 2
Pilgrim groups have left, but the abbey welcomes individuals for prayer and Easter, offering rooms and sustenance.1
Prayers include victims, perpetrators, and leaders, with Psalms gaining new depth as "human words fail."2
Schnabel worries for diverse Christians: Palestinian, Arab, Hebrew-speaking, migrant workers from Philippines, India, Sri Lanka—many Catholics dying in strikes while caring for the elderly.1 2
He notes forgotten Christians in Gaza and the economic blow to tourism-dependent Christians, who comprise 60% of the minority living off pilgrims.2
War is "dirty," stripping masks and traumatizing all, far from a "football game," with migrant deaths highlighting its filth.2
The abbot feels called to listen, comfort, and pray, serving as an "ark" despite closures preventing public refuge.2
Fragile hopes for tourism revival were shattered, but the community perseveres in interfaith witness and solidarity.1 2
Schnabel urges remembering mortality: "You are dust and to dust you shall return."2
Investigate Catholic interfaith refuge models amid Middle East conflict
The Catholic Church, through its magisterial teachings and practical initiatives, promotes interfaith refuge models that emphasize solidarity, religious freedom, and shared access to holy sites amid Middle East conflicts. These models integrate spiritual care, humanitarian aid, and dialogue, viewing Jerusalem and conflict zones like Lebanon as spaces of encounter for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Drawing from papal statements, episcopal conferences, and Dicastery reports, the Church condemns intolerance, supports refugee protection, and collaborates with interfaith partners to foster fraternity.
Catholic teaching roots interfaith refuge in human dignity, religious freedom, and fraternity, essential for peace in war-torn regions. The Holy See insists on freedom for ministers of different religions to assist refugees, rejecting proselytism while prioritizing spiritual needs. Pope Leo XIV echoes this, affirming that religious freedom is "a cornerstone of any just society," enabling reconciliation where violence erodes trust. In his message on human fraternity, he highlights how conflicts shatter the "innate vocation to fraternity," urging concrete acts of charity beyond words.
"When religious leaders stand together in defence of society’s most vulnerable... they bear witness to the truth that faith unites more than it divides."
This framework counters Middle East divisions, promoting synergy for peace through unarmed, humble service.
Jerusalem exemplifies an interfaith refuge paradigm, envisioned by the Holy See as a "City of encounter" preserved by an internationally guaranteed special statute. This ensures equal rights for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo at holy sites. Archbishop Gallagher condemns "acts of intolerance" like Jewish extremist attacks on Christians, calling for prosecution and education in fraternity. The USCCB affirms Jerusalem as a "shared city with no walls," protecting worship for all faiths and preventing "price tag" attacks on churches.
The USCCB's 1998 clarifications urge multi-religious dialogue, involving Jews, Muslims, and Christians to safeguard Jerusalem's universal significance. These principles extend to refuge: amid conflict, they advocate protecting Palestinian Christians as "living stones," linking their presence to a just two-state solution ending occupation and settlements.
Catholic agencies model interfaith refuge by delivering impartial aid in conflict zones, partnering across faiths. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) supports persecuted Christians while fostering reconciliation, born from post-war efforts to accompany suffering Churches. Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) provides relief in the Middle East—from neonatal care in Jordan to support for sisters in Iraq and counseling for Gaza children—working through Eastern Catholic Churches. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) aids refugees regardless of creed, scaling up assistance in Syria and Iraq host countries.
Pope Leo XIV praises ACN for standing with persecuted believers, invoking 1 Cor 12:26: "If one member suffers, all suffer together." The USCCB urges U.S. support for these faith-based NGOs, emphasizing inclusive societies and refugee resettlement.
In Lebanon, amid economic crises and Syrian displacement, Project Fratelli bridges gaps for migrant and Lebanese children through shelter, education, and women's entrepreneurship. It navigates "initial challenges with non-Catholic partnerships," evolving to include locals and sustain autonomy. This reflects interfaith adaptability, collaborating beyond Catholic circles.
Pope Leo XIV's 2026 fraternity message honors Taawon, a Palestinian organization, alongside leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia, as "sowers of hope" healing divisions through solidarity. This Vatican recognition elevates interfaith refuge efforts in Palestine, countering walls with bridges.
Conflicts exacerbate refugee flows, with 90% hosted by poor nations; the Church decries this "shameful wound," urging rights like family reunion and dignified work per UN conventions. In Syria/Iraq, holistic responses beyond force address ISIS recruitment via inclusion. Pope Leo XIV presses for ceasefires and negotiations in Lebanon/Israel contexts.
Summary: Catholic interfaith refuge models prioritize fraternity amid Middle East strife, from Jerusalem's shared statute to agencies like CNEWA/CRS and projects like Fratelli. Grounded in religious freedom, they demand dialogue, aid, and peace processes, protecting all as brothers. These efforts, while facing intolerance, model hope through concrete charity.