Document
“Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called children of God.”
The churches in Jerusalem greet you in the name of the God of peace. From this Holy City we raise our prayers for all those who have worked tirelessly so that a new foundation for peace can be built. We pray as you begin your deliberations in Madrid that the Spirit of reconciliation and understanding will prevail and that justice and peace will come to our tormented land.
We all face the challenge to be peacemakers. We repeat our deep commitment and pastoral concern for the welfare of all peoples in this land. As Patriarchs and Heads of the Christian Communities in Jerusalem with a continuous presence of two millennia in the Holy Land, and being entrusted by the Universal Church to safeguard the Holy Places of Christianity, we call upon all parties concerned to remember that all people carry the same image and likeness of God and are children of the same Lord. We call upon you to persevere in your deliberations for the peoples of the Middle East.
We assure you of our constant prayers. On this very day as you meet in Madrid, thousands of Christians in the Holy Land, as well as throughout the world, are praying fervently for the success of the Peace Conference. We pray that you will be guided to lay the foundation for a peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflict based on Justice and truth for all. We pray that all the people and countries of our region will be able to live in security, freedom, and dignity. We pray that the human and political rights of all will be guarded and democratic principles honored.
May the God of justice and peace guide you in all endeavors.
Jerusalem, 30 October 1991
Signed:
Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
H.B. Diodoros I
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
H.B.Michel Sabbah
Armenian Orthodox Patriarch
H.B. Torkom Manougian
Custos of the Holy Land
Most Rev. Father Carlo Cecchitelli, (O.F.M.)
Coptic Archbishop of Jerusalem
H.B. Basilios
Syrian Archbishop of Jerusalem
Archbishop Dionysios Behnam Jijawi
Anglican President Bishop in Jerusalem and the Middle East
Bishop Samir Kafity
Greek Catholic Patriarcal Vicar
Archbishop Lutfi Laham
Lutheran Bishop of Jerusalem
Bishop Naim Nasr