Under the non-provocative headline, King Abdullah Receives Representatives of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Churches leaders, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem related the message presented at that meeting by Bishop William Shomali, Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem, who “reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s rejection of any interpretation that seeks to claim the land of Palestine for the Jewish people based on the Torah, as promoted by Christian Zionism in the United States.” (The article is reproduced below.)
This is a seismic statement in connection to Middle-Eastern affairs and the Palestine-Israel question. It is particularly so in light of the timing; as Phil Lawler pointed out, “Bishop Shomali made his remarks on March 11, four days after a Jewish delegation met with senior Vatican officials. During the meeting, a rabbi called on the Vatican to describe Israel as the ‘Jews’ eternal homeland.’” It would seem that Bishop Shomali’s statement was a definitive “No” to that request. Thank God. Zionism in all its forms is a serious error contrary to divine revelation. Tragically, Christian Zionism is a “Mega-Heresy” that has enormous political traction in the Unites States of America.
(N.B.: In the Latin Patriarchate’s article, Bishop Shomali is called “Msgr. Shomali” throughout. He is a Bishop. It is common practice for bishops to be given the title, “Monsignor” (abbrev., Msgr.), in Europe and elsewhere.)
King Abdullah Receives Representatives of the Jerusalem Awqaf and Churches leaders
(Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem) — On Tuesday, March 11th, 2025, His Majesty King Abdullah II received a delegation of representatives from the Jerusalem Awqaf, church leaders, several Jerusalemites, as well as the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Al Husseiniya Palace.
During the meeting, the speakers voiced their gratitude for Jordan’s essential role, under His Majesty the King’s leadership, in backing the Palestinian people and enhancing their steadfastness in their sacred homeland.
On behalf of His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Msgr. William Shomali, General Vicar, participated in the meeting. He conveyed his deep gratitude to His Majesty the King for his protection of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and his continuous support for the Palestinian people.
Msgr. Shomali also reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s rejection of any interpretation that seeks to claim the land of Palestine for the Jewish people based on the Torah, as promoted by Christian Zionism in the United States. He emphasized that the message of the Torah is about defending the oppressed and the poor and establishing justice and peace. [It would have been good for His Excellency to say that the Torah is a supernatural revelation, one that was preparatory for the definitive revelation of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. –BAM] He also praised the King’s support for Palestinian students, noting that the number of registrants on the “WISE” online platform—launched by the World Islamic Sciences and Education University under royal directives—has exceeded one million students, including half a million in Gaza.
He reiterated that Palestine is not merely a piece of land but an irreplaceable homeland for its indigenous people.
The meeting concluded with an Iftar banquet hosted by His Majesty the King in honor of the attendees. Among those present was Msgr. Iyad Twal, the Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan.
