PRIESTS EXCHANGE BLOWS OVER RELIGIOUS RIGHTS

Melbourne Herald Sun
April 22 2008
Australia

DOZENS of Greek and Armenian priests and worshippers exchanged blows
on Palm Sunday – while the Pope was in New York praying for an end
to such violence.

The brawlers pummelled police with palm fronds when they tried to
break up the fight in Christianity’s holiest shrine.

The fight was caused by rivalry over religious rights at the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the site where tradition says Jesus
was buried and resurrected.

It erupted when Armenian clergy kicked a Greek priest out of their
midst, pushing him to the ground and booting him, witnesses said.

The Holy Sepulchre is shared by several denominations, but each
jealously guards its share.

Fights over worship rights have intensified in recent years, often
between Armenians and Greeks.

Father Pakrad, an Armenian priest, said the presence of the Greek
priest during Armenian observances was a violation of their rights.

"Our priests kicked the Greek out," he said.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch in the Holy Land, Theofilos III, said the
Armenians were pushing to change the rules of worship at the church,
behaviour he called "criminal and unacceptable".

In New York yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI paid a solemn visit to the
site of the attacks of September 11, 2001, before celebrating a huge
Mass at Yankee Stadium to close his US visit.

The Pope pleaded for an end to sectarian hatreds as he prayed at
Ground Zero.

"We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all
who died here," Benedict beseeched God after blessing the ground in
all four directions.

"Heal the pain of still-grieving families. Bring peace to our violent
world. Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are
consumed with hatred," he said.