In other News............

Mike 1972

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16347418

Scuffles have broken out between rival groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian clerics in a turf war at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

Bemused tourists looked on as about 100 priests fought with brooms while cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas, on 7 January.

Palestinian police armed with batons and shields broke up the clashes.

Groups of priests have clashed before in the church, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born.

"It was a trivial problem that... occurs every year," Bethlehem police Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi told Reuters.

"No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God," he said.

Nobody was seriously injured in the scuffles, according to the police.

Previous clashes between the denominations which share the administration of the church have been sparked by perceived encroachments on one group's territory by another

The 1,700-year-old church, one of the holiest sites in Christianity, is in a bad state of repair, largely because the priests cannot agree on who should pay for its upkeep.

Seemingly Men of God have a get out of jaill free pass in Palestine too ?

R P McMurphy

Mike 1972 wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16347418

Scuffles have broken out between rival groups of Greek Orthodox and Armenian clerics in a turf war at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

Bemused tourists looked on as about 100 priests fought with brooms while cleaning the church in preparation for Orthodox Christmas, on 7 January.

Palestinian police armed with batons and shields broke up the clashes.

Groups of priests have clashed before in the church, built on the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born.

"It was a trivial problem that... occurs every year," Bethlehem police Lt-Col Khaled al-Tamimi told Reuters.

"No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God," he said.

Nobody was seriously injured in the scuffles, according to the police.

Previous clashes between the denominations which share the administration of the church have been sparked by perceived encroachments on one group's territory by another

The 1,700-year-old church, one of the holiest sites in Christianity, is in a bad state of repair, largely because the priests cannot agree on who should pay for its upkeep.

I think I remember seeing footage of a fight which broke out there three or four years ago. Looked very odd

Biggins

Mike 1972 wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16347418

Seemingly Men of God have a get out of jaill free pass in Palestine too ?

Happens there quite often to some degree. The animosity is huge.

Samba

I couldn't understand why A. There were so many brooms on offer and B. why they all sold out during the Amazon BF sale.

Makes sense now.

InkSlinger67

Christmas is really affecting me. I read the OP and all I could think of was Blazing Saddles....

Throw up your hands
Stick out your tush
Hands on your hips
Give 'em a push
You'll be surprised,
you're doing the French Mistake
Voila!