US Christian leaders meet Palestinian Authority head -05/06/05

Ekklesia, UK
June 5 2005

Senior US Christian leaders have met with the head of the Palestinian
Authority following his discussions last week with President George
W Bush. Their aim was to encourage further initiatives towards
bridge-building in the Middle East.

The National Council of Churches USA General Secretary, the Rev Dr
Bob Edgar, and the Chief Executive of the United Methodist Board of
Church and Society, James Winkler, were among those who engaged in
what they described as ‘constructive conversations’ with Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas shortly after his White House Rose Garden
press conference.

During the meeting, Dr Edgar described to Mr Abbas his deep
sadness on seeing the wall that separates Israeli and Palestinian
neighbourhoods – and also divides Palestinians from others in their
own community. “Walls separate, bridges heal,” he declared.

Following the encounter, Dr Edgar said that he was “excited about
the opportunity to meet with President Abbas. I also look forward
to the day when we will be able to meet with Prime Minister Sharon
[of Israel].

“It is extremely important that we continue to work and pray for peace
in the Holy Land,” continued the US ecumenical leader. In spite of
the conditions we remain hopeful that peace is possible.”

Other denominations and organizations represented included the Armenian
Orthodox, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Mennonites, Church of the Brethren,
Roman Catholics, Episcopalians and the development agency World Vision.

NCCUSA gathers together churches representing 50 million mainly
Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox Christians across the USA. A wider
network, Churches Together in the USA, is building further links with
Catholics, independent evangelicals and Pentecostals.