31.08.2005
LWF Council Meeting Opens in Jerusalem
LWF Council Meeting in Jerusalem/Bethlehem,31 August - 6 September 2005
PRESS RELEASE N0. 02-2005
Lutheran Bishop Younan Calls for Reconciliation Between Palestinians and Israelis
JERUSALEM/GENEVA, 31 August 2005 (LWI) - For true reconciliation to take place people must be willing to hear the truth about each other and to forgive. This was the message delivered by Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) in his sermon at the opening eucharistic service of the 2005 LWF Council Meeting at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jerusalem, August 30.
There can be "no peace without justice and no justice without forgiveness," Younan emphasized in his sermon based on the Council's theme, "The Church: Called to a Ministry of Reconciliation." He said the ELCJHL chose this theme for this meeting "because we believe so strongly that God is calling us, the local expression of the worldwide Lutheran communion to embody this vital ministry at this opportune time here." The Council attended by around 170 participants is being hosted by the ELCJHL at its International Conference, Center in Bethlehem, August 31-September 6.
Younan however noted that it was easy to talk about reconciliation of the Creation with God through Christ, and to delve into the theology of reconciliation, but it was far more difficult to reconcile the animosity and hatred between people especially "when I look into your eyes to seek reconciliation with you," yet, this is precisely what Christians are called to do.
Palestinian Churches Denounce Intolerance, Extremism
God's divine gift for reconciliation, he said, opens the way not only for reconciliation among churches but also for reconciliation between women and men, among people of different beliefs, cultures, and traditions - and among adherents of other religions.
Against the background of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Younan decried rampant changes worldwide as a result of globalization, making the world rapidly becoming a place without values, where widening gaps are provoking clashes between civilizations. "Our world has come to worship weapons, walls, and war in the name of peace and security," Younan said.
He said Palestinian churches had denounced a growing wave of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and the proliferation of xenophobia worldwide which stigmatize and demonize people through racism, fear and ignorance. "We believe it is our calling as ministers of reconciliation to raise up a new generation of the faithful who will urgently seek to see God in other religions and cultures" and genuinely seek common values of respect for all human life, mutual understanding, love, justice, forgiveness, and healing.
It Is Possible to Achieve Justice among Israeli and Palestinians
Concerning the search for a just peace among the Israeli and Palestinian people, the ELCJHL bishop said genuine reconciliation could only grow in a culture of truthfulness; must be built on justice; and could only occur if both peoples were willing to forgive. "Only when the light of truth exposes the lies that have been used to inflict suffering on innocent people can the seeds of reconciliation take root," he said.
He acknowledged that both peoples had their own histories that cannot be relinquished, but noted however, that they must not allow themselves to be so rooted in their life stories to the point that they could or would not understand the suffering of others. "We need to confess the injustice that has been done to the Palestinian people, and we need to confess the fear that has been imposed on the Israeli people. The time has come for hearing one another's truths because it is essential for healing and reconciliation," the ELCJHL bishop said.
On the question as to whether it was possible to achieve justice in Israel-Palestine and implement a two-state solution with a shared Jerusalem, Younan affirmed this is possible when people realize that the security of Israel is dependent on the freedom and justice for Palestinians, and simultaneously that freedom and justice for Palestinians is dependent on the security of Israel. "This is a symbiotic relationship and is the key for any just peace and reconciliation in this land," he added.
Younan, who is also LWF Vice-President for the Asian region requested the LWF to consider using the Church of the Redeemer as the site of an annual prayer rally for Christians, Muslims and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis to pray "unceasingly until just peace and reconciliation becomes a reality."
The ELCJHL bishop challenged the churches as true ambassadors of reconciliation to do more than just talk about peace itself. He encouraged them to work for peace so that that this ministry of reconciliation would bring down the walls that divide people and instead build bridges that forge common humanity. (762 words)
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There are around 170 participants in this year's Council meeting, including representatives from the LWF member churches on the 49-member governing body. Also attending are officials from LWF partner organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, and LWF staff. The Council is the annual governing body meeting between Assemblies held every six years. The current Council was appointed at the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It comprises the President, Treasurer and 48 persons elected by the Assembly. Other members include advisors, who are ordained and lay persons representing the different LWF regions.
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