Buses left St George's Cathedral early Friday morning for the two hour drive to Gaza for the Primates of the Anglican Communion as they continue their meeting in the Holy Land. The Primates entered Palestine by foot as they changed to UN buses at the Erez checkpoint, where they handed over passports to be collected on the way back to Israel.
The day included a visit to Ahli Arab Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, where a new medical library was unveiled by President Arafat and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Rt Revd Samir Kafity, Bishop in Jerusalem was celebrant and preacher at a Eucharist which included the re-dedication of the church after extensive refurbishment. The Church of St Philip is adjacent to the hospital. An Orthodox priest sang the gospel at the service which overflowed with worshippers.
Mrs Arafat, a practising Christian, attended the service but the President was escorted to his Moslem noonday prayers for Friday mid-way through the service.
Prior to a lunch given by President and Mrs Afarat, Bishop Kafity and Coadjutor Bishop Riah Hanna Abu El Assal were given the highest presidential decoration for service to the Palestinian community. The local indigenous Anglican Christian population is Palestinian. Moved by the honor, Bishop Kafity spoke emotionally on the need for the three faiths, Jewish, Christian and Islam, to live together 'as equals' and 'in peace'. Bishop Riah made a pledge to Palestinian children that their future would 'be better than in the past'.
On the return trip the Anglican prelates made a brief stop at one of the most overcrowded and poverty ridden refugee camps in the area. Young children gathered around the coaches waving to the Primates as they toured the area.
The Primates ended their day in tranquillity and prayer in the irenic setting of Abu Gosh Monastery, a French speaking Benedictine order, that offered the Anglicans generous hospitality. This was preceded by Vespers sung by the monks and nuns in the historic Crusader Church, said to be the site of Jesus' walk on the way to Emmaus after his resurrection. The Archbishop of Canterbury led prayers for peace during Vespers and gave a blessing to the Roman Catholic community.