Bishop Dawani Calls on Anglicans for Support

The following is a copy of an article from the Diocese of Jerusalem’s June newsletter. To view this and other articles click on the Diocese of Jerusalem Newsletter

In a paper presented at an invitation-only conference convened by former President Jimmy Carter in Atlanta, Bishop Suheil Dawani urged political and spiritual leaders to help preserve the presence of Christianity in the Holy Land and outlined a series of positive steps that can be taken as interim measures until a permanent peace is established.

The Bishop, whose paper is titled “Traditions of the Christian Community in the Land of the Holy One and Threats to its Continuing Presence,” noted that while the situation in the Middle East is complex, “Christians have historically played an important role in the spiritual leadership and politics of the region, as well as in the various public and private sectors of the economy.” In the past decade, however, the percentage of Christians in the Holy Land has declined dramatically, from about 18 percent to less than 2 percent.

“The education and values of local Christians help create a respectful and constructive dialogue among people of different faiths and economic conditions,” said the Bishop.” The urgency to preserve an indigenous Christian community is crucial to its ability to continue to serve as a moderating and reconciling element in the social and cultural fabric of the Middle East.”

In his paper, the Bishop laid out a series of initiatives to provide temporary bridges for conciliation until the peace process is resolved.

The Bishop represented Jerusalem’s Palestinian Christian community at the conference, which was chaired by Carter and entitled “Toward a New Christian Consensus: Peace with Justice in the Holy Land.” The conference participants included leaders from the Kairos Project, the World Council of Churches, and Churches for Middle East Peace.

The Bishop also met with former President Carter when he visited Jerusalem in late June. The Bishop said he was “deeply impressed with the both the upbeat spirit of the conference and especially in President Carter’s “continuing commitment and strong belief in the two-state solution to the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.”

Following the Carter Center Conference, Bishop Dawani stayed in Atlanta as the guest of the Right Rev’d Dr. John Neil Alexander, Episcopal Bishop of Atlanta. On Sunday, May 17, he was the preacher at the Cathedral of St. Phillip at the invitation of the Very Rev’d Dr. Samuel G. Candler, and the speaker at the Dean’s Adult Forum.

Just Announced: Bishop Plans Pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 2010

In February 2010, Bishop Johnston will be traveling on pilgrimage to Jerusalem with a small leadership delegation from the diocese. This will provide him the opportunity to reflect at the beginning of his ministry as bishop on the spiritual and historical significance of the Holy Land for Christians today, as well as to consider how the Diocese of Virginia might contribute to stability and peace in that place. The trip will include meeting religious and political leaders in the region to establish relationships and learn firsthand about the needs of the church in the Middle East.

Bishop Johnston will also take some time to join the Jerusalem Mile Project pilgrimage which will be traveling there at the same time. There are only 10 spaces left! More information, including a registration form, can be found on the Jerusalem Mile Project blog. The last date to register is November 10^th.

Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, 2010

FEBRUARY 22 – MARCH 11, 2010

Parishioners from the Diocese of Virginia will be traveling together on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the surrounding region. We will be hosted and led by the staff at St. George’s College and participating in the Palestine of Jesus course.

Space is limited to 32 people. The above dates include travel days. The total cost of the course is $3,900, which includes airfare, lodging, all meals and in-country travel, course fees, and entrance fees. If you would like to join us, download the REGISTRATION FORM, print and send it with a $400 deposit to the Diocese of Virginia.

For detailed information see the Pilgrimage page (at the top).