Search results

by the Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, general secretary of the World Council of Churches

Presentation by the Director of the CCIA to the conference convened at FAO headquarters by the UN Special Committee on Palestine, Rome, 18-19 February 1999.

Desde 1966 el GMT ha realizado seis Relaciones. En esta Séptima Relación da cuenta, a las respectivas organizaciones, de su trabajo desde la Asamblea del CMI en Canberra en 1991. Esta informe también busca poner al corriente acerca de la historia del GMT, y de las específicas estructuras de relación entre la IC y el CMI a los lectores que tal vez la desconocen. Una breve historia del GMT es ofrecida como Anexo A

The statement was adopted with 15 opposing votes and 17 abstentions. During the discussion by assembly delegates, several comments and concerns were voiced: the statement did not draw sufficient attention to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and to concern for the security of the state of Israel; this issue is of great concern to churches around the world and of particular concern to churches in the Middle East; rather than calling for Jerusalem to be "a shared city", the sovereignty of Jerusalem should be protected for Israelis and Palestinians; Palestinians should be given the right of repatriation.

WCC Central Committee
Geneva, Switzerland, 14-22 September 1995
STATEMENT ON THE STATUS OF JERUSALEM

On Monday, 14 November 1994, the heads of the Christian communities in Jerusalem met in solemn conclave to discuss the status of the Holy City and the situation of the Christians there, at the conclusion of which, they issued the following declaration.

The Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in Sigtuna, Sweden, 14-20 September 1993, warmly welcomes the exchange of letters of mutual recognition between the leaders of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the subsequent signing in Washington, D.C. of an agreement to establish a transitional Palestinian Interim Self-Government Authority in the occupied territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The World Council of Churches condemns the use of deadly force by the Israeli security forces, resulting in the killing of more than twenty and the wounding of hundreds of Palestinians in Jerusalem. The manner in which the Israeli authorities have acted reflects total disregard of their obligations under international law and makes them fully responsible for this tragedy. The Council extends to the families of the victims its sincere condolence and upholds them in its prayers.

By the Middle East Council of Churches

The Central Committee of the WCC meeting in Geneva (March 1990) warmly welcomes the initiative of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), "Christians for Peace in the Holy Land", calling the churches around the world to join the churches in Jerusalem for prayers for peace in the Holy Land during the period from Palm Sunday to Pentecost, dates this year shared by all churches.

Further statements from the Heads of Churches and Christian Communities in Jerusalem are available in Jerusalem Testament: Palestinian Christians Speak, 1988-2008 by Melanie May (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2010)

This statement is signed by:
- His Beatitude Diodoros I Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
- His Beafitude Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch
- His Beatitude Yeghishe Derderian, Armenian Orthodox Patriarch
- Very Rev. Father Carlo Cecchitelli, of m, Custos of the Holy Land
- His Exc. Amba Basilios, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop
- His Exc. Mar Dionysios Behnam Jijawi, Syrian Orthodox Archbishop
- His Exc. Msgr Lutfi Laham, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarcal Vicar
- Right Rev. Samir Kafity, Bishop of the Episcopalian Church
- Right Rev. Naim Nasr, Bishop ot the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Further statements from the Heads of Churches and Christian Communities in Jerusalem are available in Jerusalem Testament: Palestinian Christians Speak, 1988-2008 by Melanie May (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2010)