The Archbishop of Jerusalem, the Most Rev Dr Hosam E Naoum, received a standing ovation in the beginning and finish of his address to General Synod this morning.
The Archbishop thanked the General Synod for his or her warm welcome, and the House of Bishops for his or her support and visits, in addition to their statements about Gaza and the bombing of the Ahli Hospital.
Rather than being “political”, he said it was vital for Christians “to talk out within the face of injustices and be prophetic for the sake of our people and calling as Christians”.
He continued, “But where a church is wounded and constrained, we’d like the broader body of Christ to assist us to be the church in brutal and damaging times.”
The Diocese of Jerusalem covers five countries, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon and in lots of parts of it Christians face violence, ethnic cleansing, threats of deportation, violence and economic pressure.
The Archbishop spoke of the “shroud of death” that can proceed to cover “every a part of our lives and ministries” until there may be a everlasting ceasefire and a two-state solution.
Much of the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem seeks to indicate the love of Christ, not only with words but with deeds.
Alongside the 28 congregations, the diocese provides schools, hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres, retirement homes and guesthouses where the sick are healed, reconciliation is taught, and pilgrims are welcomed.
The Archbishop finished by saying, “Our ministry in Jerusalem and beyond is a blessing. We highlight the challenges, however the opportunities are also great and God’s presence, even in times of war, is all the time to be praised. May God bless our partnership, may God bless us all.”
Susie Leafe is director of Anglican Futures, an organisation that gives pastoral and practical support to orthodox Anglicans.
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