Archbishops warn of ‘existential’ challenge to Christians in the Holy Land

The Anglican Archbishops of Canterbury and in Jerusalem are warning of an “existential” challenge to Palestinian Christians.

Archbishop Sarah Mullally and Archbishop Hosam Naoum say there is a “desperate” situation in the occupied West Bank and that they fear for the future of Palestinian Christians.

In a joint pastoral letter following their five-day pilgrimage of prayer and solidarity to the Holy Land, which concluded yesterday, they say that across Palestine and Israel, “families feel unmoored and traumatised by endless conflict”.

Settler violence, forced displacement and systemic discrimination in the West Bank pose an “existential challenge that demands our focused attention and collective responsibility”, they add, pleading that the international community not look away from the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

They call for a viable two-state solution to enable Israelis and Palestinians to live in “peace, dignity and security”.

“The time to act is now. Across Palestine and Israel, we met families that feel unmoored and traumatised by endless conflict. In Israel, the simultaneous fighting of many conflicts at one time, and the deep-seated aftermath of the horrifying atrocities of 7 October, have created a state of intense sensitivity to potential danger that has transformed society and politics. In the West Bank, unchecked settler violence, forced displacement, systemic discrimination, and expanding checkpoints have left the Palestinian population impoverished, desperate and powerless to enact change.”

The joint pastoral letter is written to the Episcopal (Anglican) Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, as well as Anglicans around the global Anglican Communion.

Archbishop Sarah made the pastoral visit at the invitation of Archbishop Hosam, in order to be alongside Anglican clergy and congregations in Palestine and Israel, as well as meeting other churches leaders and communities in the region. During the visit she also met civil society and interfaith groups working for human rights, coexistence and peace in Israel and Palestine.

Isreal and Palestine are among the issues to be debated at the General Synod of the Church of England when it meets in York 10-14 July. The Synod will debate legislation on subjects such as clergy conduct rules and the abuse redress scheme.

The synod will discuss questions of national unity and the role of the church in a time of social, economic and technological change.

Among documents published today for discussion at Synod is “Hope for All Creation: A theological response to the environmental crises” – a teaching document from the House of Bishops, produced by the Church of England’s Faith and Order Commission which aims to offer a theological framework for understanding and responding to environmental crises including climate change.

The Synod is also expected to approve a new annual “Festival of Creation in Christ”, to include prayers and readings reflecting God’s creation. Another key liturgical change due for final approval is the introduction of an annual commemoration of the “21 Martyrs of Libya” – a group of Christian men who were killed for their faith in Christ by Isis terrorists 10 years ago.

Other subjects up for debate are the church’s response to same-sex relationships as well as an update from the Church of England’s net zero carbon programme.

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