wfn.org | Jerusalem Church Leaders Issue Appeal as Violence Worsens

[JerusalemRelOrgs@aol.com]

Contact:  Fr. Raed Awad Abusahlia
P.O.Box 14152  Jerusalem  91141
Tel.  (972 2) 628.2323 / 627.2280
Fax  (972 2) 627.1652
Personal E-mail: nonviolence@writeme.com
Latin Patriarchate E-mail: Latinpat@actcom.co.il
Latin Patriarchate's Homepage: http://www.Lpj.org
"Nonviolence Homepage": http://go.to/nonviolence

JERUSALEM, March 27, 2001--As violence worsened in this Holy City and 
throughout the Holy Land, the leaders of the historic Christian communities 
here have issued a new "Appeal from the Churches of Jerusalem."  

    The message of the Patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops, and bishops 
who head the churches was prepared in an extraordinary session during the 
Christian holy season of Lent.  It was issued from the Latin Patriarchate 
located only a few hundred yards from the traditional place where Jesus was 
crucified and buried and where Christians believe he rose from the dead on 
the first Easter.

    The text of the message follows:  

APPEAL FROM THE CHUCHES OF JERUSALEM

We the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem:

Concerned for the spiritual, mental and bodily well-being of all the citizens 
of this Holy Land, Christian, Moslem and Jew, appeal to the Israeli 
Government, the Palestinian Authority, world leaders (secular and religious); 
as well as to all men and women of goodwill to help bring an urgent 
conclusion to the conflict affecting the lives of thousands in this land.

We are convinced that peace-seeking negotiations between the Israelis and the 
Palestinians are the only assured way of providing for the well being of all 
our peoples.

We believe that the violence which has intensified over these past months 
will only end when both parties in the conflict make a determined effort to 
respect each other's rights whilst affirming the dignity and worth of every 
human life (man, woman and child).

We would respectfully request protection for all our people in order to 
assist the re-establishment of mutual trust and security for Israeli and 
Palestinian.  Further we would call on all peace-loving people from around 
the world to come and join us in a manifestation of just peace.

Furthermore, we would ask for even greater assistance from our brothers and 
sisters abroad -- governments, aid agencies as well as Churches and private 
individuals -- for those in need in the areas of conflict.  Despite all the 
kind help to date (for which we express sincere gratitude) many are desperate 
for food, clothing, shelter and the like.  In this appeal for help we would 
call lo mind the words of Jesus when He said "In as much as you do this for 
the least of these my little ones, you do it for me". (Matt 25:40)

In a few weeks all the Christians of the world will celebrate together the 
commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus died to 
offer the world God's forgiveness and encourage reconciliation.  He rose 
again to offer the world fullness of life.  We firmly believe that now is the 
time to establish forgiveness and reconciliation on all sides in order to 
work for fullness of life for every citizen of this Land.

Signatures of Their Beatitudes the Patriarchs and Their Excellencies the 
Heads of the Christian Communities in Jerusalem:

+   Archimandrite Cornelius:  
    Locum Tenens, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate
+   Patriarch Michel Sabbah: 
    Latin Patriarchate.
+   Patriarch Torkom II: 
    Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate.
+   Ignatius VIII Pierre Abdul-Ahad: 
    Syrian Catholic Patriarch.
+   Father Giovanni Battistelli: 
    Custody of the Holy Land.
+   Anba Abraham:   
    Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate.
+   Swerios Malki Mourad: 
    Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate.
+   Abba Gabriel: 
    Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarchate.
+   Riah Abu Al-Assal: 
    Episcopal Church of Jerusalem & the Middle East.
+   Mounib Younan: 
    Lutheran Evangelical Church.
+   Maximus Sallum: 
    Greek Catholic (Melkite) Patriarchal Exarchate.
+   Paul Nabil Sayyah: 
    Maronite Patriarchal Exarchate.
+   André Dikran Bedoghlyan: 
    Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarcate.

Jerusalem                                                      
24 March 2001

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