Southern African bishops pledge to pray, advocate on behalf of Palestinians
July 29, 2014
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Citing “your pain, humiliation and increased oppression,” the head of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has expressed “our profound solidarity, our fervent prayers and our renewed commitment to join in activities of advocacy” on behalf of Palestinians.
“It is our hope that international outrage and pressure will help bring a just and lasting peace to the Holy Land,” said Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town, the conference’s president, in a letter to Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem.
“We know from the South African experience in bringing an end to apartheid in our country that international solidarity and widespread protest are potent forces in transforming unjust situations,” he added. “We pray for strength as you witness to the call of the Gospel to be peacemakers amidst the escalating violence.”
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Posted by: timothy.op -
Jul. 30, 2014 5:02 PM ET USA
How is it possible to send such a statement, which implies that there is no guilt on the Palestinian side of the conflict? A more severe failure to recognize the complexity of the situation I cannot imagine. How abandoned the Israeli's must feel.
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Posted by: ColmCille -
Jul. 30, 2014 12:52 AM ET USA
Not to mention the suicide bombings, etc. The Israeli people have suffered much from anti-Israel forces in Palestine. The Palestinian govt. is anti-Israel, and most Palestinians apparently are as well. Bishops need to be more discerning, lest in their haste to love the suffering, they align with evil. It is sad that some innocent Palestinians may be suffering, but Israel has a right to defend itself, and innocents do, sadly, suffer even in just wars. Let us pray for God's help and guidance.
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Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Jul. 29, 2014 7:07 PM ET USA
Bishops of Southern Africa: please append a list of Palestinians who are currently "witness[ing] the call of the Gospel to be peacemakers." A Post-It will provide you adequate space. Meanwhile, I'll update my list of Palestinians who have called for the destruction of Israel and the annihilation of the Jewish people, just as soon as Office Depot delivers another crate of copy paper.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Jul. 29, 2014 5:59 PM ET USA
What about the injustice of over 2000 rockets lobbed at Israel? Jews don't make it to the compassion list for some reason?
