Jerusalem
and the Middle East
Church Association

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Bishop Suheil and GAFCON

Bishop Suheil has been shocked to hear that the leaders of GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) have planned to hold their meeting in his diocese, without prior consultation or invitation. GAFCON is seen as a rival to the Lambeth Conference which is to be held the following month.

The GAFCON members are mostly those who have refused the Archbishop of Canerbury’s invitation to attend Lambeth. In a ‘Press Release’ the bishop said “I am deeply troubled that this meeting could have serious consequences for our ministry of reconciliation in this divided land…we who minister here know only too well what happens when two sides stop talking to each other”. The bishop went on to urge the organisers to think again and if they held the meeting at all, to hold it somewhere else. The Jerusalem and Middle East Church Association, in conjunction with a group of thirty others connected with the Middle East (inc. Christian Aid, CMS, Churches Together, Living Stones, Christians Aware, Friends of Sabeel,) sent a letter of support to Bishop Suheil, saying that in the sensitive climate that prevails for churches in Palestine it was even more important that the local bishop be consulted about the appropriateness of the plan.

Subsequently the organisers of the GAFCON meeting have transferred the venue to Jordan, which is still within Bishop Suheil’s diocese. They now plan to follow the meeting in Jordan with a Pilgrimage in Jerusalem. The divisions in Anglicanism sadden us all, but those who understand the conflicts already faced by the people of the Middle East will agree with Bishop Suheil that the last thing his diocese needs is another dispute brought into its midst.

Editor

Bishop Suheil hosts U.S. Presiding Bishop

Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori shares Holy Week in Jerusalem

Bishop Suheil Dawani was pleased to welcome the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts-Schori, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, USA, to share Holy Week worship in the Cathedral. She was accompanied on her 10-day visit by her husband, Richard Schori. During their stay in the Holy Land, they enjoyed the hospitality of St. George’s Guest House and visited several of the Anglican Institutions in the Holy Land. Bishop Katharine was especially Bishop Suheil hosts U.S. Presiding Bishop pleased to be able to visit Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza where they were saddened by the suffering but inspired by the great strength and faith of the people.

Bishop Katharine participated in all the liturgies of Holy Week in St. George’s Cathedral, delivering a memorable sermon at the Palm Sunday service and washing the feet of Pilgrims and the local congregation at the Maundy ceremonies. Through out her stay, Bishop Katharine and her group were accompanied by the Bishop’s Special Assistant, the Rev’d Canon Samir Habiby.

Stephen Need Ordained Deacon

Dr. Stephen Need, New Testament scholar and Dean of St. George’s College, was ordained deacon by the Bishop in the cathedral on Maundy Thursday. He said “It is a privilege to be ordained in Jerusalem which I now regard as my home. I look forward to continuing my ministry in College and Cathedral and to being ordained priest on September 28th.”

Information on the Diocese of Jerusalem