Patriarchs and Heads of Local Christian Churches in Jerusalem Address A Message of Concern to All the Palestinian People
The 13 Heads of Churches in Jerusalem and signatories of the Message, voice their concern for the present situation in the Palestinian Territories and their anxiety for all the Palestinians, Christians and Muslims alike. Underlining that the dead lock in the situation is a result of the failure of all attempts at reconciliation, and that soon it will be very difficult to stop the large scale fighting in the area, the Message urgently calls fo r peace and security, for the removal of arms from the street, for a government of national unity and to return to the negotiating table.
The 13 Heads of Churches ³call for intense prayer to Almighty God for peace ² and ask parties to reconsider all issues at stake, and ³to change course especially for the sake of all our children and young people who deserve a better future devoid of hatred and bitterness². They indicate their readiness to help end the present situation and offer to act as mediators o r play any other deemed necessary. The Message ends with Christ¹s words: ²Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called children of God² (Matt. 5:9). The Message 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/