JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Christian leaders in the Holy Land reopened the Church of the Holy Sepulcher Feb. 28 after the Israeli government set up a negotiating team to resolve a municipal dispute over property taxes. The Franciscans did receive a bill for a property they owned, he said, but he declined to disclose which property and the amount. The committee is also slated to look at the issue of Jerusalem land sales by the Greek Orthodox Church. Church leaders feared a bill in the Israeli parliament would allow for state expropriation of church land. The church leaders' closing of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher during Lent, close to Easter, the busiest time for pilgrims, drew international attention and condemnation.

Source: Ethiopian News February 27, 2018 16:36 UTC