wfn.org | WCC NEWS: WCC invites prayers and advocacy for peace in Gaza

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World Council of Churches - News Release

Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

>For immediate release - 07/01/2009 15:28:13

WCC INVITES PRAYERS AND ADVOCACY FOR PEACE IN GAZA

Reiterating its call for a ceasefire in Gaza, the World Council of  Churches has appealed to Christians everywhere to pray for peace and to  advocate with their governments for a just peace in Israel and Palestine.

In a 7 January message directed to the Council member churches in the  Middle East and shared with member churches around the world, the WCC  general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia called "on Christians everywhere to  pray for peace and, wherever possible, to inspire and encourage their  leaders in the constructive work that leads beyond enmity to reconciliation ".

Kobia reiterated the call "for an end to hostilities and a new commitment  to a negotiated settlement that will assure a just and lasting peace to  both Palestinians and Israelis".

Such a peace "must reinstate the ceasefire on both sides of the border and  speed the lifting of Israel's blockade on Gaza," as well as "include  respect by all authorities for international law as it applies to human  rights, humanitarian aid and protection of civilians in conflict zones". 

The WCC general secretary's message is a response to the calls and  concerns of the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem about the  current crisis in Gaza.

Full text of the WCC letter to member churches in the Middle East:
http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=6547

Additional information:Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363media@wcc -coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness  and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of  churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant,  Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million  Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman  Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from  the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.