Anglican Communion News Service

(Jerusalem, June 10, 2001) Feast of the Holy Trinity

As members of the St George's College Jerusalem Foundation, a continuing education center of the Anglican Communion, we urge Anglicans/Episcopalians around the world, to "pray without ceasing" for their Christian brothers and sisters in the Holy Land.

We have visited the beleaguered Christian communities of Beit Jala and Beit Sahour and are shocked by the extent of the destruction and devastation in these places. The streets of Jerusalem's Old City and indeed Manger Square are empty of tourists and pilgrims and only a few visit the Anglican Communion Creche Exhibition. Businesses, including hotels, are shut, poverty reigns among many, and freedom of travel is challenged by checkpoints and fear for one's life.

In addition, grave psychological damage is becoming evident, especially among the very young. An estimated 90 Christians flee the dwindling Christian cities each month to seek a better life in other countries. The cry "where have all the Christians gone" may soon be heard echoing in the streets and in the churches. Global Christians must become more informed and more vocal in matters of peace and justice in this part of God's world.

Our concern naturally extends to the Jewish and Muslim communities, yet we must grasp the reality of the danger of the loss of a Christian presence in the land we call Holy. Our beloved Christians sites of pilgrimage could well become mere museums, rather than places cared for and loved by the living stones, the people of this land and those who come as pilgrims seeking a deeper relationship with God.

We rejoice in the hope represented by the ordination of six new priests for the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem during this Pentecost season. We are thankful the College courses are uninterrupted, and grateful for the commitment of the Dean to maintain a full staff, even in the midst of decreased income and financial need. We are also encouraged by the plans for a new course in 2002 that offers a much desired opportunity for interfaith encounters under the auspices of the College.

We believe that the church can no longer keep quiet. We join our voices to that of Anglican Bishop Riah Abu el Assal, who in his address to us said, "I challenge the Christians of the world to stand up, and speak out for peace and justice with a voice that cannot be ignored."

May Jesus Christ be praised.

The Members of the Foundation

The Rt Revd David Coles
Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand
Australia/New Zealand Regional Committee

The Rt Revd Robin Smith
Bishop of Hertford, England
British Regional Committee

The Revd Dr P Donald White
The Episcopal Church USA
North American Regional Committee

The Lay Canon James Rosenthal
Anglican Consultative Council
Canterbury, England

Mr Andre Batarse
Diocese of Jerusalem

The Revd Canon Suheil Dawani
Pastor, Arabic Congregation
St George's Episcopal Cathedral, Jerusalem

The Very Revd Michael Sellors
Dean, St George's Episcopal Cathedral, Jerusalem

The Very Revd S Ross Jones
Dean, St George's College Jerusalem

The Rt Revd Riah Abu El-Assal
Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem