WCC NEWS: WCC renews fervent prayers for Holy Land for “true peace, founded on justice”

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee expressed solidarity and accompaniment in prayer to churches and people in the Holy Land, in a statement published 20 May. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 20 May 2021 The WCC governing body, meeting by videoconference on 17-20 May, expressed that they were “appalled and deeply moved by the suffering inflicted as a result of the currently ongoing hostilities in the Holy Land, mindful of the history of the people of the region.” The WCC conveyed to the churches and the people of the region close accompaniment in prayer and in solidarity. “With all those who have lost loved ones, been injured, suffered harm and fear as a result of the awful violence and destruction, we grieve,” the statement reads. “We renew our fervent prayer that God will bring compassion and wisdom into the hearts and minds of those responsible for the violence, and healing and consolation to the victims of their confrontation.” The WCC is praying for the search for true peace, founded on justice and an end to occupation, to really begin. “We yearn for a just peace in the Holy Land for all the people of the region – Jews, Muslims and Christians, Israelis and Palestinians, in equality and mutual respect – so that all may sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid,” concludes the statement. Message to Churches and People of the Holy Land, 20 May 2021 Yearn for a just peace: WCC invites to online global prayer for the Holy Land (WCC press release of 19 May 2021) Online global prayer – 20 May 2021, 16:30 CET Christian delegation stands in solidarity with people of Sheikh Jarrah (WCC press release of 17 May 2021) WCC shares condolences with DanChurchAid, Norwegian Church Aid in wake of tragic loss of lives in Gaza (WCC press release of 17 May 2021) Patriarch of Jerusalem condemns violence practiced against civilians in East Jerusalem (WCC press release of 14 May 2021) WCC laments “precious lives lost,” abhors violence affecting places of worship in Holy Land (WCC press release of 12 May 2021) WCC expresses solidarity, concern for Muslims observing Eid al-Fitr (WCC press release of 12 May 2021) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland