Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem says Satan is making his power play in Holy Land

Photo: Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem press release.

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem—a prominent church Elder in the Holy Land—made a very stirring sermon this past Sunday. He targeted the genocide happening to Palestinians.

When I read Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa’s prophetic words, they resonated deeply with me as a Presbyterian elder in the PCUSA.

He said, “It really does seem that our Holy Land, which houses the highest revelation and manifestation of God, is also the place of the highest manifestation of Satan’s power. And perhaps precisely because it is the place where the heart of salvation history is located, it is also the place where ‘the Ancient Adversary’ tries to assert himself more than anywhere else.”

The Latin Patriarch’s words name what many of us have been feeling.

The evil we are witnessing in Gaza, Israel, and across the region is more than political strife. It is more than human weakness.

As Cardinal Pizzaballa put it, “We cannot deny that evil is present and active. It is not only a question of human weakness, but of a force that exceeds us, that surpasses us. We feel it especially in this land, but it is true everywhere.”

As members of the Reformed tradition, we have always tried to be clear about sin and evil.

Our theology teaches that evil is not just about individual wrongdoing. It is also about powers and principalities that warp human institutions and destroy lives.

That is exactly what we see unfolding in Gaza and in the Holy Land. Entire populations are trapped in systems of violence, oppression, and revenge.

These are not accidents.

They are the fingerprints of a deeper evil.

Cardinal Pizzaballa reminded us, “The struggle against evil is not something optional. It is part of our Christian identity. To be Christian means to stand, with Christ, against this force that tries to destroy creation and humanity.”

That is our calling too. In the PCUSA, we have said in statement after statement that what is happening in Gaza is not only a political failure but a spiritual struggle.

Our theology insists that neutrality in the face of such suffering is impossible.

We are called to resist evil with faith, prayer, and love, even when the conflict feels endless and overwhelming.

Cardinal Pizzaballa also said, “Christ has already conquered. Evil does not have the last word. But until the end of time, it will continue to fight, and we must continue to resist, with faith, with prayer, with love.”

This is not a call to despair, but to action rooted in hope.

We cannot stop the powers of destruction on our own, but we can be signs of the kingdom that is already breaking in.

We can pray for peace, stand with those who suffer, and speak truth even when it is unpopular.

Cardinal Pizzaballa’s words echo the heart of our Presbyterian convictions on Gaza and Israel.

We know that Gaza is not just a geopolitical issue but a spiritual battlefield.

We know that Christ’s victory compels us to stand on the side of life and justice.

And we know that in the end, the forces of death will not prevail.