Last week’s Sabeel clergy conference in Jericho brought together
51 ministers and priests from all Palestinian denominations to discuss the
challenges facing today’s clergy in this land. Thirty Muslim sheikhs also participated
in one day of the conference. We pray that the relationships made at the
conference will develop into strong ties between the various Palestinian
denominations and faiths.
As we enter
this Lenten season of prayer and penitence, our prayers for justice take a more
personal tone. We confess there have been times when we have failed to speak
the truth because it meant confrontation, times when action seemed too
difficult, and instances when we failed to fully trust in God. May we use this
season to reflect on the things that make for peace and to recommit ourselves
to Christ’s message of nonviolent transformation that was demonstrated at the
cross.
The Canadian government, through the Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA), recently began to distance itself from groups that
speak out about the current situation in Palestine and Israel and organizations
that provide support to Palestinians. CIDA also canceled its regular $15
million donation for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). These developments in Ottawa can only hamper
the important work of organizations that seek a just peace. We pray that
politicians and voters will recognize the need for, and the value of, speaking
the truth to power.
Israel continues to hint at its interest in military actions in
Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Gaza. We pray that the nations of the world will denounce
this saber-rattling and encourage Israel to engage in an honest peace process
instead of maintaining a perpetual state of war.
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