New dispute at Jerusalem basilica: unpaid water bills
CWN - November 02, 2012
Administrators of Jerusalem’s Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre owe millions of dollars in unpaid water bills, the city’s water agency charges.
Hagihon, the water company that supplies the basilica, reports that the Greek Orthodox administrators have ignored bills since 2004. The Orthodox patriarchate argues that the basilica is exempt from bills under the terms of an agreement that dates back to the rule of the Ottoman empire. The basilica’s administrators contend that the old agreement still remains in place—a contention which the Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied.
The dispute over water is the latest in a long-running series of arguments over legal rights and administrative privileges in the basilica, which has frequently been the focus of disputes between the Orthodox and Catholic caretakers who share responsibility for the church.
Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.
|
An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus: Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you! |
Easter Campaign: Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($25,154 to go):
$80,000.00
$54,845.55
31%
69%
|
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
