Appeal

Published by the Laity Committee in the Holy Land, October 6, 2004

Appeal by the Laity Committee

As the Laity Committee convened to look into the means to encourage and revive the Alexandria Declaration which was initiated by the spiritual leaders of the three spiritual monotheistic religions and calls for dialogue among the sons of God, amidst the acceleration of the bloodshed in the Holy Land as a result of the continuation of the occupation to the Palestinian Territories, the Committee found itself obliged to tackle the unfortunate incident which took place on Monday the 27 of September in the heart of the Holy Sepulcher.

In fact the living stones of the Holy Land received the news of the clashes between the Franciscan fathers and the Orthodox priests in shock. The fighting occurred amidst the religious procession celebrating the “Cross feast” in Jesus Christ tomb . To add injury to the wounds, the Israeli police intervened to separate between the two sides. It is more disappointing to see those who represent the word of God of forgiveness and love in the earth; break his sacred words in the most sacred shrine for Christianity. In this place Jesus Christ was crucified and was resurrected to save the world.

-to call for a collective day of prayer in the churches to insure the peaceful spirit in the heart of our clergy men and guide them with God’s wisdom.

-to call for a constructive dialogue among the local churches to tackle the challenges facing them at top of which the continuous emigration of the Christians from the land of Jesus Christ.

-to be more attached to the calls and voice of their congregations. In this regard as traveling abroad and visiting different capitals by the heads of churches is understandable, but that shouldn’t be at the expense of the needs of the congregations here. We live one of the most difficult times in our life. There are villages and cities live in complete isolation as a result of the Israeli siege to them. The Apartheid wall is closing Jerusalem rapidly to the point where it would become impossible for the Christians living in other areas of the Palestinian Territories to visit Jerusalem for pilgrimage and even for visiting their relatives and their beloved ones.

Love is all about Christianity, and Justice is all what Jesus Christ sacrificed his soul for. He expects from his followers to carry and disseminate his mission. And that exactly what we expect from those who represent him in earth and consider themselves the Guardians of his Holy Shrines.

Laity Committee in the Holy Land ( LCHL ) is an interest group of Palestinian laity Christians from all denominations seeking to activate the Christian role in the general aspects of the Palestinian life. Jerusalem - P O Box 19055, Ph. 050 545 179, Fax 6271574. Website - http://www.HolyLandChristians.com.



Volume 6 Number 40 - Tuesday, October 12th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY

Volume 6 Number 40 - Tuesday, October 12th, 2004