Christian Zionism Is a "Damaging Ideology," Says Statement From Church Heads

The signers include the Latin Patriarch, the non-Latin Catholic Patriarchs, the various Orthodox & Oriental Patriarchs, and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem.

From Aleteia

By Christine Rousselle

A January 17 statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem described Christian Zionism as a "damaging ideology" that is harming Christians in the Middle East.

The influence of Christian Zionism in the Holy Land is making life harder for the Christians who reside in the area, said a January 17 statement from the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem.

"The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in the Holy Land affirm before the faithful and before the world that the flock of Christ in this land is entrusted to the Apostolic Churches, which have borne their sacred ministry across centuries with steadfast devotion," said the statement.

The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem are an ecumenical group of Christian leaders, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

Cardinal Pizzaballa is the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, the leader of the Latin-rite Catholics in the Holy Land. Other members include representatives from various Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, non-Latin Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran denominations.

"Recent activities," the statement continued, "undertaken by local individuals who advance damaging ideologies, such as Christian Zionism, mislead the public, sow confusion, and harm the unity of our flock."

"These undertakings have found favor among certain political actors in Israel and beyond who seek to push a political agenda which may harm the Christian presence in the Holy Land and the wider Middle East," said the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches.

What is Christian Zionism?

Christian Zionism is an ideology that supports the return of the Jewish people to Israel to fulfill what is seen as Biblical prophecy concerning the Second Coming of Christ. Typically, Christian Zionists are members of evangelical Christian churches, which are not led by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem.

Citing Scripture, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem reminded Christians that "we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

To claim any authority outside of this communion, said the statement, "is to wound the unity of the faithful and burden the pastoral mission entrusted to the historic churches in the very land where our Lord lived, taught, suffered, and rose from the dead."

Christian Zionists, said the statement, have been "welcomed at official levels both locally and internationally," something the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches find concerning.

"Such actions constitute interference in the internal life of the churches and disregard the pastoral responsibility vested in the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem," said the statement.

Pictured: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem