Holy Land: Spitting attack on abbot causes outrage

Eine Spuckattacke radikaler Juden auf den Abt der deutschen Benediktinerabtei Dormitio in Jerusalem, Nikodemus Schnabel, sorgt für Empörung. Das Lateinische Patriarchat von Jerusalem, die Vertretung der Katholiken im Heiligen Land, kritisierte den Vorfall vom Samstag nahe der Klagemauer in der Jerusalemer Altstadt am Sonntag scharf.

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"The Latin Patriarchate condemns the unprovoked and shameful attack," it said in a statement. The perpetrators were arrested by the police immediately afterwards. "Prosecuting the perpetrators of such hate crimes is an important means of deterring and improving the sense of security of Christian clergy in the Holy Land, especially in Jerusalem," the statement said.

As Abbot Nikodemus also demonstrated to Vatican Radio with video material, on Saturday two apparently Jewish radicals had attacked him - dressed in Benedictine habit - and his companion, a German journalist friend. As can be clearly seen in the videos, they spat on the ground in front of him, threatened Schnabel and insulted Christianity and its founder, Jesus Christ. The abbot had calmly rejected the insults and the touching of his person and insisted on taking photos of the attackers in order to report the incident to the police.

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For him it was important to emphasize that he had immediately prayed for the two attackers that same evening, Abbot Nikodemus told Vatican Radio on Sunday.

"For me, it is a sad story that people who are dressed as devout Jews actually do something quite sacrilegious, namely desecrate the Sabbath with their behavior," said Schnabel. The attack took place on Saturday afternoon, of all days, which Jews honor as the Sabbath. But he is also concerned about anti-Semitism and hatred of Islam, both of which are increasing worldwide, stressed Schnabel. In this context, it is important to note that there is also the phenomenon of hatred of Christians by Jewish extremists, said the Benedictine, who himself experiences regular hostility - which is not always picked up by the media.

"I believe it is time for all people who have responsibility in religious communities to rethink how they pass on the faith, what religious education they impart, and that it is not about identity, not about demarcation, not about creating possible enemies, but really the idea of the Rule of Benedict, that we are seekers of God and all of us are miserable sinners who need God's mercy, and that every person is created in the image of God. And if that really penetrates the hearts of believers, then religion, this wonderful project of seeking God, can once again unfold its full beauty, even in Jerusalem."

He himself knows that he is supported by many worshippers from the three major religions, who assured him of their solidarity immediately after the attack. The video of the incident also shows an older gentleman forcefully reprimanding the young attackers and standing in front of the abbot. "And that is also part of the truth," said the abbot. "And it is important that all those who bear responsibility in the religious communities clearly and decisively oppose these 'religious hooligans'. No religion should allow itself to be used to stir up hatred against another religion."

Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel in Jerusalem (photo Elias Ungermann)

In Israel, spitting attacks and verbal aggression by radical Jews against clergy and members of the order have been on the rise for months, and Abbot Schnabel himself has reported on this several times. There are also increasing cases of vandalism against churches and religious institutions. The perpetrators often come from strict religious Talmud schools (yeshivas) and deny non-Jews the right to practice their religion in Israel.

(vatican news/kna - cs)

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