On September 29, 2006, a statement was issued on the ³Status of Jerusalem² by all Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. The statement comes as a result of the violence in South Lebanon, continuing ³death and demolition in Gaza², and ³more insecurity in the Israeli society².
The Statement aims at restoring peace in the Land where Christ was born. Mention is made to the 1994 memorandum entitled ³The Meaning of Jerusalem for Christians², highlighting the Christian character of Jerusalem and on the importance of Christian presence in the Holy City.
Considering it a duty to draw the attention of the local authorities, of th e international community and churches worldwide, to the grave situation, Heads of Churches call for concerted efforts to search for a common vision on the status of Jerusalem, based on international resolutions and the rights of the two peoples and three faiths living on this land. The Statement underlines the churches¹ vision for Jerusalem as a Holy City, cit y of daily life for two peoples and three religions, the requirements for a just and durable solution for the Jerusalem question, and the ³Open City² special status. The Statement is posted on the MECC website at: www.mec-churches.org <http://www.mec-churches.org/
Middle East Council of Churches Office of International Ecumenical Relations P.O. Box 5376, Beirut, Lebanon
Guirgis Ibrahim Saleh, General Secretary
mecc@cyberia.net.lb or guirgissaleh@cyberia.net.lb
+961-1-353-938 http://www.mec-churches.org/