News
By Royal Orr
(This is the third story in a three-part series on the accompaniment programme.)
Bishop Kamal Bathish of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem shook his head in sorrow.
"How can we come together to pray for peace," he asked, "when even I, having lived in this city for more than thirty years, often cannot find a way past the checkpoints?"
Standing beside the altar before a small gathering in the chapel of the Pater Noster Church on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Bishop Kamal was addressing an ecumenical gathering from across the city.
"It was from this mountain," he reminded the faithful, "that Jesus looked down on Jerusalem and wept. Now we add our tears to His."
Bishop Kamal was at the midpoint of hosting a two-week-long series of evening prayer services for peace along with other church leaders in Jerusalem.
At an earlier meeting with the most senior clergy in Jerusalem, the first participants of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme (EAPPI) in Palestine and Israel received good wishes and blessings for their own commitment to peaceful accompaniment.
Coptic Orthodox Archbishop Dr Anba Abraham pledged his support to the accompaniers, inviting them to come to him and his colleagues "for guidance, assistance, or any help that you think we might be able to offer".
"Take much courage with you," advised Bishop Kamal, also a participant at the gathering in the Old City. "Do not despair, for it is the Lord's work."
Christian leaders are becoming more active in the struggle for justice and peace in Palestine and Israel. Father Michael Sellors, Dean of St George's Anglican Cathedral (Jerusalem), sketched out the advocacy recently undertaken by Christian leaders in the cause of peace, including demonstrations and lobbying efforts with Israeli government and Palestinian Authority representatives.
EAPPI accompanier Bernt asked the leaders whether they saw any signs of hope in the situation in Palestine and Israel.
"There are glimpses of hope," replied Greek Orthodox Archbishop Aristarchos with a smile. "Your presence is a glimpse of hope."
"We need your solidarity and your input," agreed Armenian Orthodox Bishop Aris Shirvanian.
"The task for all of us," responded Bishop Kamal, "is to pray for peace, to preach peace, to be ready for peace when it comes from the Lord of Peace."
Bishop Kamal returned to the same theme at the prayer service at the Pater Noster Church, but with added urgency.
"Let us pray for peace," he said. "Let us pray and work so fervently that, as at the wedding at Cana, we might advance the hour when God's power will come."
EAPPI is an ecumenical programme of the World Council of Churches.
For more information on the programme, reports from the accompaniers, and photos, see:
wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/palestine/eap.html
Royal Orr is a senior consultant with Columbia Communications in Canada and president of the video production company N.E.X.T. Productions. He is also the host of The United Church of Canada's national religious affairs programme, Spirit Connection. He was in Jerusalem in August 2002 to assist the local EAPPI orientation.