wfn.org | Jerusalem Patriarchs Call for End to All Violence

[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 10--The heads of the Christian communities of the Holy 
Land have joined in an historic statement, calling all parties to end the 
sprial of violence.  

    Citing the ancient Hebrew scripture, they assert that "The time for 
throwing stones has ended."  They conclude by saying: "We have tried war, 
stones, killing and destruction... Time has come for peace, justice and the 
collecting of stones for building, reconciliation and healing". 

    The message, released in Jerusalem and sent to both Palestinians and 
Israelis, ties Israeli security to justice for Palestinians.

    The text of the statement follows:
    

A CALL FROM THE HEADS OF CHURCHES IN JERUSALEM 
TO ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS HOLY LAND, PALESTINIANS 
AND ISRAELIS 

"There is a time for killing, a time for healing; a time for knocking down, a 
time for building; ... a time for throwing stones away, a time for gathering 
them; ... a time for war, a time for peace" (Eccl. 3,3-8). 

We, the Patriarchs and the Heads of Churches in this Land, are 
concerned for the recent developments and the spiral violence directly 
affecting the lives of the people. 

We are distressed to find that the bloodshed is increasing in this Country. 

We are saddened to see more widows, orphans, mourning fathers and mothers on 
both sides. We deplore the increase of injured people because of killing, 
shelling bombarding, violence and incursion. We ask "Is this the future that 
we all want for our children?" 

We believe that the key to a just peace is in the hands of both the Israeli 
Government and the Palestinian Authority. War, shelling and destruction will 
not bring justice and security; rather it will intensify hatred and 
bitterness. 

We believe that Israeli and Palestinian peoples are called to be partners in 
an historic peace. 

We would confirm that we care for the security of both peoples just as we 
care for the security of every human being. 

But the way the present Israeli Government is dealing with the situation 
makes neither for security nor for a just peace. We believe that the Israeli 
security is dependant on the Palestinian freedom and justice. 

For this reason, we join our voices with every Israeli and Palestinian 
seeking for a just peace. 

We ask everyone to take the appropriate measures to stop further massacres or 
tragedies for our two peoples. We want to say a frank, honest word to the 
Israeli conscience and the Israeli Government asking that you stop all kinds 
of destruction and death caused by the heavy Israeli weaponry. 

What assurance can be offered to a people deprived of freedom, 
self-determination, sovereignty and equality with every Israeli citizen? 

To the Palestinian people we urge an end of every kind of violent 
response. We believe that the way of peace is the way of negotiation. If 
there is a strong will for making peace all the pending disputed problems 
will find a dignified solution. 

We appeal to the Israeli people to work for their security in such a way that 
is just and in which the Palestinians may enjoy their rights as represented 
in the International Legitimacy. 

We ask you in the name of the Living God, Whom we all worship, to raise your 
voice for justice, peace, and reconciliation which are the cry of the soul of 
all peoples of the world. 

Inspired by the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes, We can say: 
"We have tried war, stones, killing and destruction all the period of the 
conflict. Time has come for peace, justice and the collecting of stones for 
building, reconciliation and healing". 

Our prayers for peace are more urgently needed than ever. 
Know that we have contacted our partner Churches abroad with their 
respective Governments to seek their assistance in our quest for peace. 

"I will hear what God proclaims; for He proclaims peace to his people, 
and to his faithful ones, and to those who put in Him their hope" (Ps 
85,9). 

+ Patriarch Irenios I: Greek Orthodox Patriarch 
+ Patriarch Michel Sabbah: Latin Patriarch 
+ Patriarch Torkom II: Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarch 
   Father Giovanni Battistelli, O.F.M.: Custos of the Holy Land. 
+ Anba Abraham: Coptic Orthodox Archbishop 
+ Swerios Malki Mourad: Syrian Orthodox Archbishop 
+ Abba Cuostos: Ethiopian Orthodox Archbishop 
+ Paul Nabil Sayyah: Maronite Patriarchal Exarch 
+ Bishop Riah Abu Al-Assal: Episcopal Church Bishop of Jerusalem 
+ Bishop Mounib Younan: Lutheran Evangelical Bishop 
+ Archimandrite Mtanious Haddad: Greek Catholic Patriarchal 
   Exarch 
+ Georges Khazzoum: Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarch 
   Fr. Elias Tabban: for the Syrian Catholic Exarchate 

Jerusalem, March 9, 2002