wfn.org | [ENS] Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking central in Anglican network

["Matthew Davies" <mdavies@episcopalchurch.org>]

Friday, June 24, 2005

Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking central in Anglican network report

By Matthew Davies

ENS 062405-3

[ENS] -- Recognizing the suffering on both sides of the
Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, a report from the Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN)
was
received June 24 by the 13th meeting of the Anglican Consultative
Council
(ACC) assembled at England's University of Nottingham.

The presentation also addressed care for refugees in Africa and conflict
resolution, as well as offering recommendations on theological
education,
interfaith relations and environmental issues in the Anglican Communion.
{A
portion of the resolution is cited online at
www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/39/75/acns3996.cfm.

The network has been a "vitally important forum for raising concerns of
political justice," said Dr. Jenny Plane Te Paa, "ahorangi" or dean of
Te
Rau Kahikatea, an indigenous constituent of the College of St. John the
Evangelist in Auckland, New Zealand. She has been the APJN convener
since
1997.

After much debate and several amendments, a resolution presented by the
APJN, arising from its deliberations in Jerusalem September 14-22, 2004,
was
passed unanimously by the ACC.

Requiring an additional session "to facilitate maximum participation
from
the floor," the presentation included personal experiences and
passionate
debate about issues concerning peace, justice and co-existence in the
Holy
Land, and outlined concerns about provinces investing in any company
that
"supports the occupation" of Palestinian lands.

Extending gratitude to the Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal, Anglican Bishop
in
Jerusalem, for his contributions to the work of the network and his
Palestinian hospitality, Te Paa insisted that the extent of suffering in
the
Holy Land can only be fully appreciated after a visit the region.

Reading from the 35-page report, Te Paa explained how a group of 31
people,
that included network members representing 23 of the 38 Anglican
provinces,
were "exposed to the draconian conditions of the continuing occupation
under
which so many Palestinians live."

"We heard from Israel Jewish voices, and from Palestinians, both those
who
reside in Israel and those who live under occupation," she said, noting
the
continuing policies of illegal home demolitions, detentions,
check-points,
identity card systems and the presence of Israeli military "that make
any
kind of normal life impossible."

El-Assal told the ACC that many people are ignorant of the facts on the
ground and indifferent to the plight of those who suffer in the Holy
Land.
"Ignorance breeds indifference," he said. "This ongoing conflict can be
stopped."

Optimistic that peace will one day arrive in the Middle East, El-Assal
said,
"The day will come when Palestine will have its independent state side
by
side with Israel," urging the council to adopt the resolution that was
being
presented. "It's time for the church to follow in the footsteps of the
prophets, in the footsteps of Elijah. Stand for action."

Te Paa concluded the network presentation dispelling claims that the
delegation did not speak with any Jewish or Israeli persons. "Our report
recognizes the suffering of all," she said. "It recognizes that all --
Israelis and Palestinians -- have to live in dignity."

Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion
Office,
acknowledged that a significant amount of correspondence had been
received
in response to the report that included a conversation with Britain's
chief
rabbi Jonathan Sachs, who urged that both sides be heard.

Clare Amos, coordinator for Anglican Communion's Network for Interfaith
Converns (NIFCON) raised some concerns about the resolution saying that
it
drifts into areas that are not being properly addressed in other areas
of
the ACC's work.

Sylvia Scarf, ACC delegate from the Church of Wales spoke passionately
about
the issues offering her strong support to the resolution. "Having stood
in
the remains of a Palestinian house in which two days before a family
lived
in peace and harmony with its neighbors ... I've got no option to
support
this motion," she said.

Concerned about the call for disinvestment, the Very Rev. John Moses,
dean
of St. Paul's Cathedral in London said that adopting the resolution as
it
stands would be such a major statement of policy that he would have to
be
absolutely sure of the credentials of all the participants. "I hesitate
because of my own lack of confidence," he said. "I do not know the whole
truth and the little I do know leads me to believe that ignorance does
not
breed difference ... but it does breed diffidence.

Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams voiced his concern about
using
the language "receives and adopts" when voting to endorse a statement
that
is nearly nine months old. "We have to be careful adopting a statement
that
was written last year," he said, recommending that the term "welcomes"
be
used instead.

Archbishop Bernard Malango, primate of Central Africa, added to the
discussion acknowledging that the Anglican Communion has been debating
this
issue for a long time and that it's now time for action.

"What happens in one part of the body of Christ happens in all parts,"
Bishop Winston Halapua of the Diocese of Polynesia in Aotearoa, New
Zealand,
said. "Our interconnectedness throughout the church provides me with the
warmth to say that I am happy to be here in witness. Bishop Riah you are
the
voice of that context. When I heard you, that was the dimension I was
looking for. When it comes to violence, I will draw the line. I belong
to
peace."

In a statement issued by the Anglican Communion News Service, Bishop
John
Paterson of Auckland, New Zealand, said that "the discussion of the
Anglican
Peace and Justice Network (APJN) was thorough" and that "local provinces
are
now to respond to the ACC resolution."

--Matthew Davies is staff writer and web manager of Episcopal News
Service.

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