This is the first of a two week synod in
Rome of Catholic bishops from the Middle East. We thank you, Lord, for this
opportunity to discuss problems faced by Christians in the Middle East, to
improve communications between the Catholic churches there and Rome, and to
encourage interreligious dialogue. We pray that it will be a helpful avenue for
dialogue that will lead to concrete actions in support of Christians and all
peoples in the Middle East.
Israelis have been demonstrating
against the Israeli cabinet's approval of a controversial amendment to the Law
of Citizenship requiring non-Jews to pledge allegiance to Israel as a "Jewish
and democratic state." They have
condemned it as discriminatory, racist, and at odds with Israel’s Declaration
of Independence. We hold in prayer the success of movements against this and
other discriminatory laws, and especially for Israel’s 20% Arab population who
will experience further exclusion under this law.
We pray for the Silwan community as
clashes continue between residents and settlers. On Monday, four young teenage
boys were detained and one was injured after undercover Israeli agents raided
this neighborhood in East Jerusalem, while the Friday before an Israeli settler
leader hit two Palestinian children with his car. May this violence and the
injustice at its root come quickly to an end.
We hold in prayer Sabeel’s Fall Witness
Visit that starts today and goes through Friday, Oct. 22. May there be smooth
organization for the leaders, clear and compelling communication from the
speakers, and open hearts and minds for the participants so they can return
home as advocates for justice and peace in this region.
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