This article by Martin N. Sison of the Anglican Journal was featured on June 7 in Episcopal Life Online. Click here for the entire article.
[Anglican Journal] Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil Dawani on June 5 urged members of General Synod to continue the Anglican Church of Canada’s support for the peace process in the Middle East. He said that continuing violence and the “rise of extremism” is forcing more Christians to leave the Holy Land.
“You have the opportunity to provide hope,” said Dawani, addressing members of General Synod gathered in Halifax for their triennial meeting. “Challenges to Christian ministry throughout the five regions (Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Syria) are ongoing. The rise of extremism borne of increasing frustration … about the stagnation of the peace process continues.”
Dawani lamented how the Christian presence in the Holy Land has been diminished as more and more Christians flee in search of peace and better opportunities. “We are losing so many young people who don’t find any future in that land. They leave the country and look for better places to continue their education and unfortunately, they don’t come back.”
And yet, in the face of these challenges, said Dawani, his church dares to hope. “We are a people who overcome challenges with the love of Christ … Jerusalem is the city of Resurrection [where] death has been defeated and eternal life given to all who believe,” said Dawani. “We are a people of hope and your commitment in keeping that hope alive is as important now as it ever was.”
