Pax Christi welcomes ecumenical statements on Ramallah church raid

Bishop Declan Lang

Source: Pax Christi

Pax Christi England and Wales have welcomed the joint, ecumenical action by Bishop Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark and Bishop Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton in contacting the Israeli Ambassador in the UK to express their 'concern at the shocking raid on the premises of St Andrew's Church in Ramallah.'

Bishop Christopher tweeted: "With the Bishop of Clifton I have written to the Israeli Ambassador to express our concern at the shocking raid on the premises of St Andrew's church in Ramallah on 18/8 in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Jerusalem."

In a statement Pax Christi says: "Pax Christi England and Wales stands firmly in solidarity with the Rector of St Andrew's, Rev Fadi Diab, with the Most Reverend Hosam E Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and with their communities. We send them our greetings and prayers. Places of worship and church compounds should be places of sanctuary for communities to feel safe to practice their faith and ministry.

"Pax Christi England and Wales calls on the Israel Government to ensure that responsibility is acknowledged, that disciplinary action is taken against those responsible and that a concrete reassurance is given that no such action will be taken in the future against any places of worship in Palestine."

The full statement from The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem can be seen here: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/45313

St Andrew's is a member of the Episcopal, Anglican, Communion and Ramallah is a Palestinian town in occupied Palestine.