Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As you all know, just last Friday, June 13th, Israel launched a sudden attack against Iran. This assault destroyed numerous buildings and installations, claiming dozens of lives-military leaders, scientists, and innocent bystanders, including women and children. Iran swiftly launched a reprisal, which also brought destruction and tragic loss of life in Israel to both Jews and Arabs. Since that time, this terrifying situation has only intensified, with foreign powers now threatening to enter the conflict, further heightening tensions both regionally and across the globe.
These developments are especially painful for us within this part of the Anglican Communion. The nations at war, along with those most directly impacted, reside entirely within the boundaries of our own Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East. As you are likely aware, our province encompasses three distinct dioceses: Jerusalem, Cyprus & the Gulf, and Iran-with the Diocese of Jerusalem extending its reach beyond Israel and Palestine to include Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Consequently, many of our church members have endured direct attacks, while a greater number now face the ominous prospect of crossborder escalations.
In his Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus Christ boldly exclaimed to the gathered crowds, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). Yet peacemaking during war is perhaps one of the most difficult things that we Christians are called to do. Where does one even begin?
We can first of all lift up each other and the situation in prayer, imploring God to envelop us with His protective care. We can also seek His guidance for the leaders of nations, urging them to bring this violence to a swift conclusion. This would enable the many victims to receive necessary care and allow the warring parties to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations held in good faith. Secondly, we can offer each other comfort and encouragement, building up each other through reassuring words about our Lord’s promise of salvation to his people, precisely as St. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians (1 Thess 5:11). Finally, we can look to the Holy Spirit for empowerment to become bridge builders within our local and regional communities, seeking to promote understanding, mutual respect, and goodwill.
Conversely, in following this path of peace, we must vigilantly guard against yielding to fear and despair. For this, we must again rely profoundly upon the graces of the Holy Spirit to both strengthen and empower us. As the Apostle further reminds us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7).
It is with these hope-filled words that I continue to hold each of you in my prayers, earnestly seeking God’s sustained blessings upon all members throughout our Province and, indeed, beyond. Furthermore, I extend and invitation to our fellow Anglicans across the wider Communion, as well as all those of goodwill, to intercede on our behalf, that we might collectively be strengthened to embody the role of peacemakers as mutal members of the larger Body of Christ.
In Christ,
The Most Reverend Dr Hosam E Naoum
Primate and President Bishop, The Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East
