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<\/p>\nA Catholic priest forced by Israel to leave the West Bank said farewell to his parishioners with a message of obedience, sorrow, and faith, saying he was returning to Jordan after serving the Christian community near Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have left Palestine, the land I loved, to return to my beloved homeland, Jordan, continuing the mission of the Gospel and justice,\u201d Father Louis Salman wrote in a farewell message to the faithful.<\/p>\n
Salman had served in Beit Sahour, at the Shepherds\u2019 Field near Bethlehem, where he had become a much-loved figure among local Christians.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a spirit of priestly obedience, I accept all divine will and wisdom with hope and faith despite the deep pain,\u201d the priest said in a message shared by the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. \u201cI knew that speaking the truth is costly, and here I am paying the price. Not with regret, but with great love, like my crucified Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n
The priest described Jesus as his \u201cexample and teacher\u201d and concluded his farewell by recalling the words of the Gospel: \u201cFather, forgive them, for they know not what they do.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Father Louis Salman. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Father Louis Salman<\/p>\n
Young priest with great pastoral potential<\/p>\n
In comments to ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, Bishop William Shomali, vicar general of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, said Salman\u2019s visa \u201cwas not renewed because he had made some political statements on Facebook that were considered by Israel to be incitement.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Church did everything possible to resolve the situation, but Shabak [Israel\u2019s internal security service] did not give a positive response,\u201d Shomali said. \u201cThe Christian community in general \u2014 especially his parish and the young people he served as spiritual director \u2014 was deeply affected, especially during the farewell gathering they organized for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shomali clarified that Salman \u201cwas not physically expelled.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, since his visa was not renewed, he was asked to leave discreetly to avoid any further tension,\u201d the bishop said. \u201cThat is how the situation unfolded.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shomali said the priest\u2019s future has already been arranged, adding that Salman will \u201csoon receive a new assignment in one of our dioceses, since he is a good young priest with great pastoral potential.\u201d<\/p>\n
Interrogation and departure<\/p>\n
According to sources familiar with the case cited by The Pillar in late April, the priest underwent an unusually lengthy interrogation.<\/p>\n
Afterward, authorities of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem reportedly advised Salman to leave Palestine for his own safety. He later received official notification that his visa would not be renewed, with no formal justification provided. The deadline for him to leave was May 11.<\/p>\n
According to The Pillar, Jerusalem sources who requested anonymity said the case may mark the first time Israel has intervened so directly in internal Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem personnel decisions.<\/p>\n
The same sources said the patriarchate does not plan to make public statements for the time being as it prepares for a possible legal battle expected to be long and complex.<\/p>\n