wfn.org | ANGLICAN PRIMATES VISIT GAZA

[a.whitefield@quest.org.uk]

March 18, 1997 
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
The Anglican Communion Office, London, UK
Director of Communications - Canon James M Rosenthal
Tel: [44] (0)171 620-1110   Fax: [44] (0)171 620-1070

97.3.3.2

ANGLICAN PRIMATES VISIT GAZA

(ACNS, LONDON in JERUSALEM)

Buses left St GeorgeUs Cathedral early Friday morning for the two hour
drive to Gaza for the Primates of the Anglican Communion as they
continue their meeting in the Holy Land. The Primates entered Palestine
by foot as they changed to UN buses at the Erez checkpoint, where they
handed over passports to be collected on the way back to Israel.

The day included a visit to Ahli Arab Hospital, a ministry of the
Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem,  where a new medical library was
unveiled by President Arafat and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Rt
Revd Samir Kafity, Bishop in Jerusalem was celebrant and preacher at a
Eucharist which included the re-dedication of the church after extensive
refurbishment. The Church of St Philip is adjacent to the hospital.  An
Orthodox priest sang the gospel at the service which overflowed with
worshippers. Mrs  Arafat, a practising Christian, attended the service
but the President was escorted to his Moslem noonday prayers for Friday
mid-way through the service.

Prior to a lunch given by President and Mrs Afarat, Bishop Kafity and 
Coadjutor Bishop Riah Hanna Abu El Assal were given the highest
residential decoration for service to the Palestinian community. The
local indigenous Anglican Christian population is Palestinian.  Moved by
the honor, Bishop Kafity spoke emotionally on the need for the three
faiths, Jewish, Christian and Islam, to live together as equals and in
peace. Bishop Riah made a pledge to Palestinian children that their
future would Rbe better than in the pastS.

On the return trip the Anglican prelates made a brief stop at one of the 
most overcrowded and poverty ridden refugee camps in the area. Young 
children gathered around the coaches waving to the Primates as they
toured the area.   

The Primates ended their day in tranquillity and prayer in the irenic 
setting of Abu Gosh Monastery, a French speaking Benedictine order, that 
offered the Anglicans generous hospitality.  This was preceded by
Vespers sung by the monks and nuns in the historic Crusader Church, said
to be the site of  JesusU walk on the way to Emmaus after his
resurrection. The Archbishop of  Canterbury led prayers for peace during
Vespers and gave a blessing to the Roman Catholic community.

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