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Middle East War Damage
Israel-Hamas War: continued destruction In Gaza Oct 9, 2023. (TheNews2/Cover Images via AP Images).
UPDATED Oct 12, 2023
America, the magazine of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), reported Oct. 9 that the Israeli ambassador to the Vatican had "condemned" the statement of Holy Land church leaders for the "'immorality of using linguistic ambiguity in such circumstances' and underlined the need to condemn 'the hideous crime,' name the perpetrators and acknowledge 'Israel’s basic right to defend itself against the atrocity.'”
The magazine continued: "For this reason, 'it is extremely disappointing and frustrating to read the text published by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem' from Oct. 7, which the embassy said, demonstrates this “immoral linguistic ambiguity” by not being clear about “what happened, who were the aggressors and who the victims.”
“'It is especially unbelievable that such a sterile document was signed by people of faith,' the embassy added."
According to writer Carol Glatz of Catholice News Service, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said that “war is always the defeat of dignity and an occasion for not reaching any solution.” He said that "terrorism, violence, barbarism and extremism undermine the legitimate aspirations of Palestinians and Israelis."
ORIGINAL STORY BEGINS HERE
The World Methodist Council, Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, and the Methodist Church in Britain work in partnership to run the Methodist Liaison Office based in Jerusalem employing three staff members. They have released this statement after the attacks in the region:
We are witnesses to the escalation of violence in the region and we call on Methodist people all over the globe to continue to pray for peace and for an end to the violence.
Pray for those who have lost family members and livelihoods, the injured, for those who perpetuate violence and for World Leaders that they may work for peace, the churches and all religious leaders and for those who work for peace in the region.
The situation is complicated, and we recognize the fear and sense of injustice that are felt, but we call on both sides not to resort to further violence and to engage in negotiation to establish a peaceful solution for all who live in the Holy Land.
The World Council of Churches issued the following statement:
The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem called for peace and justice amid unfolding violence. “The Holy Land, a place sacred to countless millions around the world, is currently mired in violence and suffering due to the prolonged political conflict and the lamentable absence of justice and respect for human rights,” their statement reads. “We, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, have time and again appealed for the importance of respecting the historic and legal Status Quo of the holy shrines.”
The statement unequivocally condemns any acts that target civilians, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, or faith. “It is our fervent hope and prayer that all parties involved will heed this call for an immediate cessation of violence,” the statement reads. “We implore political leaders and authorities to engage in sincere dialogue, seeking lasting solutions that promote justice, peace, and reconciliation for the people of this land, who have endured the burdens of conflict for far too long.”
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem expressed deep concern about the cycle of violence.
"The operation launched from Gaza and the reaction of the Israeli Army are bringing us back to the worst periods of our recent history,” the statement reads. “Unilateral declarations surrounding the status of religious sites and places of worship rattle religious sentiment and fuel even more hatred and extremism,” reads the statement. “It is therefore important to preserve the Status Quo in all the Holy Places in the Holy Land and in Jerusalem in particular.”
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land expressed shock and distress over the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip and its surrounding areas.
“As the language of ‘war’ is now being used to characterize this violence, it is important to remember that the warfare of today is not isolated,” reads the statement. “It is connected to a larger context and a longer history.”
Statement from Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
Statement from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Statement from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
WCC urgently appeals for immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine (7 October 2023)