The Bishops of the Church in Wales are appealing to congregations to join them in prayers for peace, justice and reconciliation to mark the first anniversary of the start of the recent Middle East conflict.
They are calling on all churches to pray for a ‘swift and just resolution’ on the nearest Sunday to the anniversary, October 6. The suffering and human rights involved in the conflict are “too important to be ignored” or to be used to support “partisan political points”.
Their full statement follows
Bishops’ statement
As the anniversary of October 7th approaches, marking the start of the recent tragic cycle of violence in Israel and Palestine, we urge all members of the Church to pray for peace, justice and reconciliation.
On the nearest Sunday, October 6th, we ask congregations to remember all those who are affected by the violence and to pray for a swift and just resolution to this intolerably painful conflict which has cost far too many lives.
We have called for all sides to end hostilities; for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages; for the end of Israeli military action in Gaza; and for a just settlement to the underlying issues which have fuelled conflict in the Holy Land and its neighbouring region for so long.
The issues of suffering and human rights which are involved here are too important to be ignored. They are too important to be simplified. And they are too important to be used to support partisan political points or to promote discord between communities in our own society.
The road to peace will be long, complicated and painful, but it cannot be more painful that the current unrelenting agony and uncertainty being experienced by millions, whether Jewish, Muslim, Christian, of other faiths or of none.
With the suffering of these, our brothers and sisters, in mind, and with the spirit of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, in our hearts, we pray for an end to the violence and for the beginning of a lasting peace.
The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John
The Bishop of St Asaph, Gregory Cameron
The Bishop of Monmouth, Cherry Vann
The Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, John Lomas
The Bishop of Llandaff, Mary Stallard
The Bishop of St Davids, Dorrien Davies
The Bishop of Bardsey, David Morris
