Episcopal leader calls for aid focus on Palestine-Israel
-13/04/06
Presiding Bishop Fr
Episcopal leader calls for aid focus on Palestine-Israel
-13/04/06
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold of the Episcopal Church USA has issued a Call to Action in response to the “deteriorating political situation … throughout the Holy Land.”
He says that ìa breakdown of the infrastructure of Palestinian society at this moment can only lead to further chaos, lawlessness and deep sufferingî, and calls both for Hamas to embrace a more inclusive approach and for the international community to maintain aid.
The Episcopal Church supports a bipartisan solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the Presiding Bishop reflects on the true calling of Jerusalem as a ëCity of Peaceí among the diverse religions and peoples of the region.
Griswold is asking members of the Episcopal Church “for prayers in every congregation, praying for peace and reconciliation of this ongoing and devastating conflict.”
He is also urging assistance through the traditional Good Friday Offering and Episcopal Relief and Development “so that we may do our small part in alleviating this unfolding humanitarian crisis.”
The full text of Bishop Griswold’s statement is as follows:
During this Holy Week the worldwide Christian community commemorates the significance of the events of Christ’s passion, and we made aware yet again of Christ’s sacrificial suffering on Good Friday in order to draw all humanity into God’s mighty act of salvation. This year, on this Good Friday, I am particularly mindful that our focus turns to Jerusalem where Jesus becomes the fulfilment of God’s promises to us.
As I read and watch news accounts of the deteriorating political situation unfolding in the City of Peace and throughout the Holy Land, I am fearful that an impending humanitarian tragedy is unfolding. Regardless of one’s political views, we are all called to respond to human suffering, and to take all necessary measures to alleviate and prevent any tragedy wherever possible.
I direct a plea to both the relevant government bodies of the world and to our Church membership. To the governments, particularly the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, I ask that all necessary aid be made available through non-government, and where possible, through government structures in such sufficient measure that all hospitals, schools and food supplies be adequately supported. I would say further that humanitarian aid should include support of both economic development and peacemaking efforts.
A breakdown of the infrastructure of Palestinian society at this moment can only lead to further chaos, lawlessness and deep suffering. Unilateral action does not lead to reconciliation. I pray that the leaders of Israel and that Hamas, which now is called to responsible governance, will temper politics with compassion and turn from actions that do harm to policies that place the welfare of the human community above partisan concerns and grievances.
I ask members of the Episcopal Church for prayers in every congregation, praying for peace and reconciliation of this ongoing and devastating conflict. I also remind you not only of the traditional Good Friday Offering but also to consider additional giving through Episcopal Relief and Development so that we may do our small part in alleviating this unfolding humanitarian crisis. May we do this mindful that Christ suffered so that there might be no more suffering.
My prayers are with the Palestinian and Israeli people and their governments, with the President of the United States, the leaders of the world, knowing that we are called always to the work of reconciliation and peace.
[Also from Ekklesia: Peacenik, an innovative new Internet Service Provider which involves its subscribers in supporting prcatical work for peace]
Episcopal leader calls for aid focus on Palestine-Israel
-13/04/06
Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold of the Episcopal Church USA has issued a Call to Action in response to the “deteriorating political situation … throughout the Holy Land.”
He says that ìa breakdown of the infrastructure of Palestinian society at this moment can only lead to further chaos, lawlessness and deep sufferingî, and calls both for Hamas to embrace a more inclusive approach and for the international community to maintain aid.
The Episcopal Church supports a bipartisan solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the Presiding Bishop reflects on the true calling of Jerusalem as a ëCity of Peaceí among the diverse religions and peoples of the region.
Griswold is asking members of the Episcopal Church “for prayers in every congregation, praying for peace and reconciliation of this ongoing and devastating conflict.”
He is also urging assistance through the traditional Good Friday Offering and Episcopal Relief and Development “so that we may do our small part in alleviating this unfolding humanitarian crisis.”
The full text of Bishop Griswold’s statement is as follows:
During this Holy Week the worldwide Christian community commemorates the significance of the events of Christ’s passion, and we made aware yet again of Christ’s sacrificial suffering on Good Friday in order to draw all humanity into God’s mighty act of salvation. This year, on this Good Friday, I am particularly mindful that our focus turns to Jerusalem where Jesus becomes the fulfilment of God’s promises to us.
As I read and watch news accounts of the deteriorating political situation unfolding in the City of Peace and throughout the Holy Land, I am fearful that an impending humanitarian tragedy is unfolding. Regardless of one’s political views, we are all called to respond to human suffering, and to take all necessary measures to alleviate and prevent any tragedy wherever possible.
I direct a plea to both the relevant government bodies of the world and to our Church membership. To the governments, particularly the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia, I ask that all necessary aid be made available through non-government, and where possible, through government structures in such sufficient measure that all hospitals, schools and food supplies be adequately supported. I would say further that humanitarian aid should include support of both economic development and peacemaking efforts.
A breakdown of the infrastructure of Palestinian society at this moment can only lead to further chaos, lawlessness and deep suffering. Unilateral action does not lead to reconciliation. I pray that the leaders of Israel and that Hamas, which now is called to responsible governance, will temper politics with compassion and turn from actions that do harm to policies that place the welfare of the human community above partisan concerns and grievances.
I ask members of the Episcopal Church for prayers in every congregation, praying for peace and reconciliation of this ongoing and devastating conflict. I also remind you not only of the traditional Good Friday Offering but also to consider additional giving through Episcopal Relief and Development so that we may do our small part in alleviating this unfolding humanitarian crisis. May we do this mindful that Christ suffered so that there might be no more suffering.
My prayers are with the Palestinian and Israeli people and their governments, with the President of the United States, the leaders of the world, knowing that we are called always to the work of reconciliation and peace.
[Also from Ekklesia: Peacenik, an innovative new Internet Service Provider which involves its subscribers in supporting prcatical work for peace]