Christian Post, CA
Dec 28 2004
Jerusalem Christian Leaders See Signs of Hope in Holy Land
Christian Church leaders in Jerusalem believe that there are “small
signs of hope” despite the violence in the Holy Land.
Christian Church leaders in Jerusalem believe that there are “small
signs of hope” despite the violence in the Holy Land, according to a
Christmas statement obtained by an Italy-based news agency.
“The two peoples of this Holy Land are still in quest of peace and
justice, searching how to put an end to hostility, bloodshed and
killings in Palestine and Israel, not least in Bethlehem itself, the
city of peace toward which all Christians in the world turn their
eyes in these days,” wrote the Christian leaders in the statement
received by Zenit News.
But despite this, the leaders agreed that “there are in these days
small signs of hope: promises that soon some political prisoners will
be released by the Israelis and hopes of renewed efforts by all sides
to resume the peace talks.”
The patriarchs and the heads of the churches of Jerusalem suggested
that the Christians of the Holy Land ask themselves “if we truly
welcome Christ into our lives and if we are true witnesses to him and
if the others see through our witnessing in our daily life Jesus the
Savior and the Prince of Peace and the dignity he gave to all men and
women” especially during the present time “amid oppressions and
humiliations imposed on so many.”
The religious leaders requested for all “Christian brothers and
sisters” to “offer our sincere thanks for all your prayers,
solidarity, and for your love to this Holy Land and to all its
inhabitants.”
“We express our thanks and joy for the coming back of the pilgrims
and look for very many more,” they said. “The churches in the world
are called to remember that the Holy Land is the land of the roots of
all Christians.”
“The future of Bethlehem itself needs a special attention,” the
letter affirmed. “Doubtless you will sing time-honored carols about
‘The Little Town of Bethlehem.’ This little town today needs a
special support in order to remain the town of peace, where faithful
believing in Jesus the Savior and the Prince of Peace can remain.
The Church leaders reported that many Christian families had already
left the Bethlehem area “because of the hardships they have
experienced not least from the building of the ‘separation wall,’ and
the incredible structure at the entrance to the city.”
“All these works have also meant many Christian families have had
their land confiscated from them,” the leaders added.
Continuing, the message went on to say “As heads of churches we
continue to endeavor to build bridges of peace and hope as we raise
our voices for justice amongst all peoples. But still, dear brothers
and sisters, we need you to play your part in your respective
countries.
“We pray and hope that the days will come when people in Bethlehem
and in all the Holy Land will live freely without the need of the
separation wall for security,” concluded the statement.
Those who signed the statement included: Lutheran Bishop Mounib
Younan, Anglican Bishop Riah Abu el-Assal, Greek Orthodox Patriarch
Ireneos I of Jerusalem, Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Torkom I
Manooghian, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop Anba Abraham, Ethiopian
Orthodox Archbishop Aba Cuostos, Syro-Orthodox Archbishop Swerios
Malki Murad, Father Pierbattista Pizziballa–Custodian of the Holy
Land, Greek Catholic Archimandrite Mtanios Haddad, Armenian Catholic
Bishop George Khazoum, Syro-Catholic Bishop Pierre Malki;,Latin-rite
Catholic Patriarch Michel Sabbah, and Maronite Archbishop Paul
Sayyah.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress