P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H
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INTENTION : |
For peaceful co-existence among Christians, Jews and Muslims in the Holy Land.
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There is not a single day that passes by without us reading about the violence and death in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Our mission as people of religion impels us to pray for peace, to proclaim peace and to do everything in our power to help bring an end to the bloodshed. Religion is not, and must not become an excuse for violence, particularly when religious identity coincides with cultural and ethnic identity. Religion and peace go together! Religious belief and practice cannot be separated from the defence of the image of God in every human being.
According to our faith traditions, killing innocents in the name of God is a desecration of his Holy Name, and defames religion in the world. The violence in the Holy Land is an evil which must be opposed by all people of good faith. We are asked to live together as neighbours, respecting the integrity of each other's historical and religious inheritance.
Palestinians and Israelis belonging to the major religions live in the same land that is called Holy. While respecting the divinely ordained purposes we are encouraged to create an atmosphere where present and future generations will co-exist with mutual repsect and trust in the other. We are asked to pray and assist in the efforts of people of goodwill for a just, secure and durable solution and to oppose incitement, hatred and the misinterpretation of the other.
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