Bishop John Stephens has asked that this letter sent by email on October 26 from Archbishop Linda Nicholls to Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem be posted on the diocesan website. The House of Bishops has also approved the publication of this letter. A .PDF is attached below.
October 26, 2023
Archbishop Hosam Naoum
Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem
By e-mail
Dear +Hosam,
The Canadian House of Bishops, gathered in Niagara Falls, wants to express their love, support and solidarity to you personally and to the Church in the Holy Land as you negotiate, plead and encourage peaceful and humane engagement between Israel and the Palestinian people through this latest outbreak of war.
The Very Rev. Richard Sewell and JulieAnn joined us and spoke movingly of the Christian duty of love and peacemaking in the midst of the horrors of war and the political situation in Israel and Palestine. We are seeking ways to support and encourage you not only with prayer but in tangible gifts to rebuild the ministries which you have faithfully overseen and built.
We call to mind St. Paul’s exhortation to the church in 2 Corinthians: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” We want to comfort, encourage and strengthen you in your work in the land of the Holy One.
Yours faithfully.
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate
on behalf of the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada