wfn.org | WCC NEWS: WCC expresses condolences for Arafat

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World Council of Churches - News Release
Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
For immediate release - 11/11/2004

WCC EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES FOR ARAFAT, HOPES FOR JUSTICE WITH PEACE

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has expressed its condolences to the
Palestinian people following the death of the president of the Palestinian
Authority Yasser Arafat.

In a letter sent to the Palestinian Prime Minister Mr Ahmad Qurei' by the
director of the WCC's International Affairs Commission, Mr Peter Weiderud,
the WCC recognises the commitment of the Palestinian leader to upholding the
place of both Christians and Muslims in Palestinian society, as "participants
in its affairs and as shapers of its future".

The WCC also noted that the "long road" to Palestinian statehood is not
completed, and emphasized that "true justice embraces peace, security and
hope for both Palestinians and Israelis".

The WCC reiterated its commitment to work in solidarity with the Palestinian
people in the future. The organization, which is the largest inter-church
body in the world, has been at the forefront of ecumenical efforts to promote
lasting peace for all peoples in the region.

The full text of the letter is given below:

Your Excellency,

On the sad occasion of the death of President Yasser Arafat, we extend our
condolences to the Palestinian people and to the leadership of the
Palestinian Authority. We also ask God's comfort for the members of his
family in this time of deep grief.

President Arafat will be remembered for bringing the Palestinian people
together and for his unique and tenacious contribution to the cause of
establishing their national home. 

We stand with the Churches of the Holy Land to honour his commitment to their
place in the Palestinian society, its affairs and its future. President
Arafat often made sure to mention the church as well as the mosque as core
institutions of Palestinian national life. True to the customs of mutual
respect among his diverse people, he celebrated Christmas with the churches
of Bethlehem as circumstances permitted. 

On his long road as a leader, Yasser Arafat came to the recognition that true
justice embraces peace, security and hope for both Palestinians and Israelis.
His path has now ended, amid the rocks and thorns of occupation, at a
distance from the goal he sought. As he is laid to rest the world will see -
from the location of his final resting place - how far the Palestinian people
must still travel together.

In solidarity with the Palestinian people, the World Council of Churches will
continue to work for human rights, sustainable livelihoods, medical care and
basic freedoms, in the days and years that lie ahead and until there is
peace.

Yours truly,

Peter Weiderud
Director
Commission of the Churches on International Affairs
World Council of Churches

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363
media@wcc-coe.org

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The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in more
than 120 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions.
The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works cooperatively with
the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly, which meets
approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in
Amsterdam, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general secretary Samuel Kobia
from the Methodist church in Kenya.