ELCA Middle East Delegation Meets Jerusalem Church Leaders

Jerusalem (ELCA)-JB — Saying the leaders of Christian churches here are "a sign of hope for Christians throughout the whole world," the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), paid tribute to each for working together to bring peace to the Middle East.

Hanson made the comment at an ecumenical dinner May 26, at which he met representatives of the 13 Christian churches of Jerusalem. He led an eight-member ELCA delegation May 22-27 to show support for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine) (ELCJ). The trip through Jerusalem and the West Bank included meetings with church leaders and leaders of the State of Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA).

During the ELCA delegation's visit, the Israeli Cabinet endorsed the "road map" for Middle East peace, a plan proposed by the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations. This significant step, plus new PNA leadership, has given many people here reason for guarded optimism about the peace process.

"You become the model for us, showing how Christians who have not yet resolved all their theological differences will come together out of sense of urgency for justice and out of a sense of passion for peace," Hanson told the representatives. "I will go back to the United States and say to my fellow religious leaders, 'we must have a greater sense of urgency for peace in the Middle East. We must follow those leaders who sit together, 13 of you, and follow you who are leading us.'"

The Rev. Munib A. Younan, ELCJ bishop, told the group Hanson is a "prophetic voice" for peace. "We have good relations among our churches," Younan said. "We are growing together day by day. Our rich ecumenical life in this part of the world can be a sign of hope."

Calling Hanson's visit "a joyful event," His Grace Aristarchos, archbishop, representing the Greek Orthodox patriarch, said, "We as Christians share the fact that the Holy Land is the place of Jesus' birth, life, crucifixion and death. We are strengthened by your visit."

Aristarchos said the ELCA has a "strong witness" in the world.

"You have come to this troubled country," said his Beatitude Tonkom Mangoonian, Armenian patriarch. "If we felt left alone, it would be a desperate, unbearable situation. We pray and thank God, because we know why you are here."

"We need you to spread the word and be ambassadors for the Holy Land," the patriarch added.

"We, the ELCA, continue to deplore violence," Hanson said. "We grieve with the parents of Israeli children who are killed, but we also stand in solidarity with Palestinian people for we know that justice will not come until the occupation ends."

"I think it's a sign of hope that what we see in the 'road map' is echoed in the Alexandria decree," Hanson added. "It was, in fact, Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders who paved the way (in the decree) that became the road map of political leaders. Maybe ... it will be religious communities that come and lead the rest of the world to find peace."