"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," exhorted Bishop William Shomali in Jerusalem Monday 12th November 2012. Bishop Shomali of the Jerusalem Patriarchate was meeting 52 pilgrims of Aid to the Church in Need UK who had just helped carry a wooden cross along the Via Dolorosa during the Way of the Cross, following the path of Christ,in solidarity and prayer with suffering Christians in the Middle East. The group of ACN pilgrims had already met Christian families in Bethlehem, travelled to the Solidarity Housing Project for Christians in Beit Safa and visited the Latin Seminary in Bethlehem. The bishop stressed how much the Christian communities appreciated the prayers, understanding and solidarity of Aid to the Church in Need and other charities at this uncertain and difficult time. "Sometimes it might seem hopeless to pray for peace - but Our Lord calls us to do this - and we trust in him." Reflecting upon the recent outbreaks of violence on the Israel-Syria border, in the Golan Heights, Bishop Shomali expressed his concern and compassion for all refugees and for those who are suffering in the Syrian conflict. He also went on express his concern that the Syrian crisis could spread further and said that Jordan was "the sandwich between Israel and Syria - and if that sandwich is consumed in the spread of conflict then all would be deeply worried." Bishop Shomali ended by stating that "It is so difficult for Palestinian Christians - please continue to tell people of their plight, pray for them and help them to remain here in the Holy Land."
Monday 12 November 2012
Holy Land - in prayer & solidarity
Sunday 10 June 2012
PRAYERS FOR MIDDLE EAST
Time and again ACN friends & benefactors have been asked to pray for Christians in Lebanon & the Middle East.
Today, Sunday, the faithful of all ages flocked to Mass at the national shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, in Harrisa. Praying with them, as their singing echoed around the church, was a moving experience.
Later on, visiting priests & sisters the request came again - please remember us at this tense time. A Melkite priest told me how their community in a village near Homs had taken in families fleeing the violence. There is a growing fear that conflict will be replicated and roll out over the border into Lebanon - & that all communities will be affected.
Christians are worried that they may suffer greatly as they could be targeted by all sides.
As the faithful left Mass many made their way to the compassionate Mother of God - going up the steps to the big statue of Our Lady of Lebanon. There they placed their hands at the feet of Our Lady in deep prayer. May we join them in prayer - sharing the hope & compassion of Christ.
Today, Sunday, the faithful of all ages flocked to Mass at the national shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, in Harrisa. Praying with them, as their singing echoed around the church, was a moving experience.
Later on, visiting priests & sisters the request came again - please remember us at this tense time. A Melkite priest told me how their community in a village near Homs had taken in families fleeing the violence. There is a growing fear that conflict will be replicated and roll out over the border into Lebanon - & that all communities will be affected.
Christians are worried that they may suffer greatly as they could be targeted by all sides.
As the faithful left Mass many made their way to the compassionate Mother of God - going up the steps to the big statue of Our Lady of Lebanon. There they placed their hands at the feet of Our Lady in deep prayer. May we join them in prayer - sharing the hope & compassion of Christ.
Friday 8 June 2012
Bridge building bishops
In meetings today in southern Lebanon - up in Beit Eddine, Chouf & then down in Saida (Sidon) - I heard about bridge-building efforts of the bishops.
Yesterday the three Bishops of Saida - Maronite, Melkite & Orthodox - met with two Muftis. They hold monthly meetings and discuss resolving problems and community issues. They are the community leaders who try to build Civil Society.
One Shiite joined us at lunch - he cooperates with the bishop - & many Sunnis say they want more Christians to return to south Lebanon.
Such bridge-building work demands a lot of the bishops. They also stress that catechetical instruction for the Christian young & families is vital - so that they can know their faith and witness to Jesus.
As tension, fear and anxiety grow over the possiblity of further conflict & violence overflowing into Lebanon from Syria, so the Bishops reiterated the request to unite with the Christian community here in prayer & solidarity.
Standing on the hill at the Shrine of Our Lady of Maghdousheh - looking down at the vast Palestinian refugee camp - the prayer is for peace & for God to bless these bridge-builders.
Yesterday the three Bishops of Saida - Maronite, Melkite & Orthodox - met with two Muftis. They hold monthly meetings and discuss resolving problems and community issues. They are the community leaders who try to build Civil Society.
One Shiite joined us at lunch - he cooperates with the bishop - & many Sunnis say they want more Christians to return to south Lebanon.
Such bridge-building work demands a lot of the bishops. They also stress that catechetical instruction for the Christian young & families is vital - so that they can know their faith and witness to Jesus.
As tension, fear and anxiety grow over the possiblity of further conflict & violence overflowing into Lebanon from Syria, so the Bishops reiterated the request to unite with the Christian community here in prayer & solidarity.
Standing on the hill at the Shrine of Our Lady of Maghdousheh - looking down at the vast Palestinian refugee camp - the prayer is for peace & for God to bless these bridge-builders.
Thursday 7 June 2012
Lebanese longing
Speaking to Lebanese in Beirut today, there is a sense of longing. It is a longing for peace.
Sporadic violence continues in Tripoli - with reports of sniper fire today - after three weeks in which more than 20 have died. Attacks near & across the Lebanese border with Syria have added to the fears of being dragged into a wider regional roll out of the Syrian conflict.
The blame game is rife - which political party to blame or which country is responsible. Here as ever in the Middle East theories are argued with a passion springing from decades of suffering.
However, many see the Tripoli violence as a direct reflection of the Syrian conflict between extremist Sunnis & Alawites. The government of Lebanon is containing the outbreak and there is a will amongst the vast majority to avoid any escalation.
One young Maronite Christian told me today: "Here in Lebanon we always have had war - interspersed by outbreaks of peace. Now it is up to us to find peace - God has put us here for a reason."
A senior priest added his thanks to charities such as Aid to the Church in Need for supporting the Christian communities so that they can be builders of bridges of peace & understanding.
Sporadic violence continues in Tripoli - with reports of sniper fire today - after three weeks in which more than 20 have died. Attacks near & across the Lebanese border with Syria have added to the fears of being dragged into a wider regional roll out of the Syrian conflict.
The blame game is rife - which political party to blame or which country is responsible. Here as ever in the Middle East theories are argued with a passion springing from decades of suffering.
However, many see the Tripoli violence as a direct reflection of the Syrian conflict between extremist Sunnis & Alawites. The government of Lebanon is containing the outbreak and there is a will amongst the vast majority to avoid any escalation.
One young Maronite Christian told me today: "Here in Lebanon we always have had war - interspersed by outbreaks of peace. Now it is up to us to find peace - God has put us here for a reason."
A senior priest added his thanks to charities such as Aid to the Church in Need for supporting the Christian communities so that they can be builders of bridges of peace & understanding.
Monday 4 June 2012
The other Tripoli
Tripoli in northern Lebanon has both Alawites & Sunni extremists. When last I visited Tripoli I passed army checkpoints and arrived at an area where black Sunni flags proclaiming Allah were hung across the streets - the buildings still pock-marked & bullet riddled from the Civil War ended in 1990. And violent clashes between communities continue. Over the weekend 14 people died & more than 40 people were injured in what has been seen as a direct spill-over of violence from Syria. The Christian community remains in Tripoli - smaller than once before - but I came across a Maronite shrine to Our Lady with candles lit in hope & prayer before the Mother of God. The people of Lebanon & the Christian communities in the Middle East need our help & prayers.
Lebanon - please do not forget
Returning to Lebanon this week to meet with the friends & partners of Aid to the Church in Need. The projects ACN supports in Lebanon & the Middle East are of immense importance - psychologically, spiritually & materially.
The words of bishops in south Lebanon still haunt me - "Please remember that this too is the Holy Land - Our Lord & his Mother came here. Please do not forget us." And: "Just one shot could spark off another terrible conflict".
The Christians are seen in many parts of Lebanon as bridge-builders between factions in the political paradigm of Lebanon. The support of the benefactors of ACN is key to sustaining their presence.
The words of bishops in south Lebanon still haunt me - "Please remember that this too is the Holy Land - Our Lord & his Mother came here. Please do not forget us." And: "Just one shot could spark off another terrible conflict".
The Christians are seen in many parts of Lebanon as bridge-builders between factions in the political paradigm of Lebanon. The support of the benefactors of ACN is key to sustaining their presence.
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