Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

Resolution on Israel/Palestine

News

Book Review

First the bad news - and anyone who watches TV can feel overwhelmed by the bad news from Iraq. The night sky illuminated by burning buildings, hospitals inundated by the injured, desperate people fighting for hand-outs of food and water, looting and chaos, the grief as British and American servicemen and women are brought home in flag-draped coffins, and the Iraqi dead, men, women and children.

Now there are the huge problems of setting up a civil administration and reconstructing the country.

Bishop Clive's reports tell how the conflict affects the Anglican Church in the Middle East.

Readers may remember his visit to the Anglican cathedral in Baghdad a couple of years ago. Hanna, the faithful caretaker, an Iraqi Christian, lit a candle there every Sunday, and he and his young family joined Bishop Clive at the Eucharist. I have been praying for them, as representing ordinary Iraqis and the only people I in any sense 'knew' there. Hanna and his family are now reported missing.

Much prayer is needed for all who have been injured, bereaved or made homeless by the conflict. Gifts of money may be sent to the JMECA office, to be forwarded to Bishop Clive, who will see that, through the Middle East Council of Churches, it reaches those in most need.

Good news also

Now for the good news. In April, in spite of tension and division, the Archbishop of Canterbury addressed a three-day meeting of Muslim and Christian leaders in Qatar, arranged before the conflict began. Dr Williams said, "A meeting such as this is a clear demonstration that we do not have to be imprisoned in mutual hostility and misunderstanding."

Dr Williams also confirmed 16 people from the Christian community in Qatar, and blessed a cross-shaped stone for the new church building, the Church of the Epiphany, Doha, to be constructed later this year.

At Pentecost we remember the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first Christians, and celebrate the Spirit's continual presence and power with us all. As we think with sorrow of all the damage done in Iraq, let us thank God for the witness and work of his Holy Spirit in the church in the Middle East.

PS: More good news. Hanna the caretaker is safe and well.

Reinhold Niebuhr

O Lord Jesus,
stretch forth your wounded hands in blessing over your people,
to heal and restore,
and to draw them to yourself and to one another in love.

A prayer from the Middle East