Clergy/Leaders' Mail-list No. 1-228 (General)

THE FORGOTTEN CHRISTIANS OF THE HOLY LAND

A letter appeared in The Age (Melbourne) under that headline on Christmas Day, saying that it was 'an appropriate time to reflect on the plight of a unique Christian community -- the Christian inhabitants of the place where it all began, Palestine.

'At one time, one in five of the Arab inhabitants of Palestine were Christian; now it's about one in 50. Once, Bethlehem was 95% Christian; now Christians are a mere 15%. Why? What brought about this catastrophic decline?'

Many Palestinians are fleeing because they see no future there, but that did not explain to Abe Ata, the writer, why Christians are more inclined to leave than their Muslim compatriots. Part of the answer for Abe, a ninth generation Christian born in Bethlehem, is 'that Christian Palestinians are treated by the West as a non- people; few outside the Middle East even know we exist...

'Palestinian Christians ... have been forgotten, even by their co- religionists in the West. It's hard to maintain your spirits when you are treated with indifference by the only people you can look to for support...

'The fact is (our) morale is being eroded from all sides. In the West we are ignored. In the Arab world we are increasingly treated with suspicion. And in our ancestoral home we are subject to the indignities heaped upon us as a subject population.

'No wonder we despair.'

So may we on the CLM list, as global Christians, respond faithfully to this desperate plea with prayer and support for our fellow believers in Palestine, giving thanks too for some recognition and a glimmer of hope arising from ...

The Pastoral Letter to Christians in the Holy Land by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey.

Dear Bishop Riah and brothers and sisters in Christ,

In this season of Christmas when we remember with joy the gift of Christ to our world I send you greetings on behalf of all the members of our Anglican family, many of whom have expressed their deep concern for your life, ministry and witness at this time.

Bethlehem is so dear to our faith as the place where our Saviour was born. However, the familiar carol: 'O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie' seems ironic in the light of present tensions and violence. We pray for you daily and grieve at the sufferings that so many people in that beloved land endure. My visit to the diocese at the end of July made me more profoundly aware of the tragedy of the Holy Land.

As I said repeatedly on that visit, I recognise the right of the Israeli people to live in peace and security. All people of goodwill are appalled by the action of suicide bombers who kill so indiscriminately and cruelly. No nation can be expected to tolerate such attacks, which only deepen the mistrust between two peoples already locked into bitter conflict.

Yet, the Palestinian people themselves, both Christians and Muslims, carry a great burden of pain and suffering, from which there seems too little prospect of relief. One small instance comes to mind. I was with you, Bishop, when a Palestinian stopped our car begging for a few shekels to buy some bread for his family. He had tried and failed to find casual work in East Jerusalem. He was exhausted, humiliated and close to tears having walked several hours to the city. When we came across him, he was on his way home, tired out and at the end of his tether. I saw in that single encounter what daily life must be for so many Palestinian families.

That there is urgency about assuaging the suffering and resuming peace talks, no one can doubt. And if Christian leadership can facilitate this in any way, we must provide it. So, please be assured that you are in our thoughts and prayers daily. May God, whose Son was born of Mary, keep you in his love and give you the spirit never to give up hoping and believing that out of the ashes of despair, new things will arise.

(Letter distributed by the Anglican Communion Office, London)