Conference on Churches Together for Peace and Justice in the Middle East in Amman

A conference on Churches Together for Peace and Justice in the Middle East took place from June 18 to 20, 2007, in Amman, Jordan. Its aim was to unite the efforts of all the denominations in settling the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and to coordinate new and to intensify existing church initiative for peace in the Holy Land with the aim to help implement UN decisions concerning the conflict.

According to the website of the Russian Orthodox Mission in Jerusalem, over 100 heads and representatives of Christian churches and communities in various parts of the world attended. The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by Hegumen Feofan Lukyanov of the Russian Orthodox Mission in Jerusalem.

The conference stated in particular the need to combine efforts in helping the peoples in the Holy Land to overcome the logic of hatred and mutual rejection. The conflict should not be resolved by military means. Violence in all its forms cannot be justified, whatever side may commit it.

The conference was organized by the World Council of Churches. Among its participants were Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima and Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Rev. Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches.

DECR Communication Service