Holy Land Easter message:
lasting peace in Jerusalem and the world
Thirteen Patriarchs and Heads of Christian Churches in
Jerusalem have issued an Easter Message praying for lasting peace throughout
the world and urging that the multi-religious and multi-cultural status of
Jerusalem be maintained.
Robin Gomes
The 13 patriarchs and heads of Christian Churches in
Jerusalem have expressed their Easter greeting to the people of the Holy Land,
the larger Middle East and the world, wishing that the words of Christ, “I came
that they may have life, and have it abundantly,” be realized everywhere.
Human dignity
In a joint message, the leaders, including Archbishop
Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate,
say that through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus brought about new
creation and restored all things, including God’s image in human beings. “The
Feast of the Resurrection,” they stress, “reminds us that human dignity
is to be respected and honoured.”
While noting that Jerusalem is “a beacon of hope, the
spiritual leaders call on believers to pray for the "regions of violence
and distress" and for women and children "who face violence”.
City of peace and reconciliation
The life promised by Jesus is “in abundance, not in
scarcity”, they say, adding “Jerusalem, the city of the resurrection, is the
beacon of hope and life.” The city of life, they insist, is also the city
of peace and reconciliation. “Therefore, the multi-religious and
multi-cultural status of Jerusalem has to be maintained and all
Abrahamic faiths may find it none other than the city of peace and
tranquility.”
Violence and peace
Jerusalem’s Christian leaders pledge to continue praying for
a just and lasting peace in Jerusalem and throughout the world. “We are
steadfast in praying for all regions of violence and distress, especially,
violence against innocent people and places of worship.”
While praying for all women and children who
face violence and injustice throughout the globe, they call upon all people to
respect the dignity of every human person and walk together toward wholeness
and fullness of life.
The Christian leaders invite their faithful around the world
and in the Middle East to be witnesses to the resurrection by promoting the
values of the Risen Lord, through active involvement in the life of the Church
and in wider society.
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