wfn.org | ACNS - Archbishop urges Christians to Visit Struggling

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

     ACNS 4092     |	  LAMBETH     |     9 JANUARY 2005

Archbishop - Christians should visit 'struggling' Bethlehem

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has urged Christians 
throughout the world to make efforts to visit Bethlehem as a place of 
pilgrimage and to remember the 'struggling' town in their prayers.

In a letter presented to Dr Victor Batarseh, the Mayor of Bethlehem, 
marking the feast of the Epiphany, Dr Williams expressed his concern for 
the fate of the area.

"I am aware of the severe hardship which many are suffering; the decline of 
tourism, the difficulties of access and movement and the struggle to 
sustain the economic and social life of the city. I am distressed to hear 
that the current situation has prompted so many families, especially 
Christians, to leave the city and seek security and stability elsewhere. I 
have raised these concerns directly with the Israeli authorities."

Dr Williams said that Christians throughout the world could play their part:

"I urge Christians worldwide to support your community, to visit you 
whenever possible and to pray for the people of Bethlehem that they may not 
be forgotten . We pray for the day when a just and lasting peace will be 
established in the region which will bring freedom, dignity and security to 
all the people of Bethlehem."

The letter was presented in Bethlehem on Friday [January 6th] to Dr 
Batarseh on behalf of Dr Williams by an Anglican delegation from the UK led 
by the Bishop of Tonbridge, the Rt Revd Brian Castle.

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