A series of photos by Caritas Congo’s Emmanuel Bofoe of survivors from Christmas Day massacres in northern Congo carried out by Ugandan rebels in Faradje City and other locations.
Archive for the ‘Peace and Reconciliation’ Category
Massacres in Congo
January 1, 2009A day in Gaza
December 30, 2008By Caritas Jerusalem staff
One day in Gaza, while people strolled through the markets, children sitting in classes wondering what they will do after the teacher will finish explaining Math and Science, and the other students wondering about the match of football they will have after a long day of sitting in class, the simple basics of life granted to everyone, supposedly; a place where they have heard of freedom but not experienced it.
Since 2006 1.5 million Palestinians have been impenetrably blockaded and deprived of work, deprived of food, deprived of basic freedoms, and deprived of any semblance of a future.
Unaware of what awaits them on a Saturday morning; children, men, women, everyone, began their day not knowing that they will not see their neighbors, mothers, fathers and daughters, teachers and students, employees and colleagues. Then it hits. Sudden constant bombardments by Israel awake people of Gaza to the reality, that these might be the last goodbyes.
Four days and counting have passed and the air strikes by Israel have left 345 Palestinians dead and 1, 650 injured and yet no sign of rest.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dreadful. There is severe shortage of fuel, electricity, water and food. Hospitals are unable to receive the wounded due to lack of medical supplies, tools and beds. According to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon this escalation of violence is “unacceptable.”
We ask you, friends to raise your voices against the ongoing bombing of Gaza and work to put an end to the injustice, suffering and violence.
Caritas Jerusalem statement on Gaza attacks
December 30, 2008Caritas Jerusalem unreservedly condemns violence on either side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a means to achieve political end.
However, the continuing shelling of towns and urban centers in the Gaza Strip perpetrated by the massively superior force of arms of the Israeli Army leaves any moral thinking human being absolutely stunned particularly by the disproportionate response .
The number of fatalities now is over 360 and more than 1650 casualties testify to the ferocity of the onslaught and can in no way be justified , notwithstanding the media blitz by Israel to occupy the moral high ground for its actions. Whether it can sustain that position in the face of the massive destruction of life and property is doubtful.
Caritas has one medical centre in Gaza , six emergency medical points and a mobile clinic. The latter is unable to go out and offer the aid for which it has been established because of the relentless bombardment.
Caritas Jerusalem calls for an immediate cessation of the air strikes and bombardment to be followed by a dialogue to lift the siege of Gaza and call off the embargo. It took 41 years of Israeli occupation of the East Jerusalem, West Bank and the Gaza Strip, before the world acknowledged it for what it is.
Caritas Jerusalem hopes and prays it will not take years for a solution to be agreed between the warring parties for all hostilities to cease and for peace and justice to prevail.
At this time our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Gaza.
Christmas cheer in Baghdad
December 23, 2008There is nothing unusual about a Christmas fair in a Church in December. Only this time, there is. It’s in Baghdad. A city in a country both torn apart by sectarian violence.
But this year Caritas Iraq’s volunteers organized such a bazaar. A sign of peace in a troubled land.
The Caritas Charity Market ran from the 5 to 7 December at the Church of St Georgis in Baghdad. The market was aimed at bringing different communities together and to raise money to help families made homeless during the conflict.
Volunteers ran the event, which provided food and clothes to the poor. Entertainment was laid on and children received gifts. The party was inaugurated by bishops and priests and people from Iraq’s different parties.
Everyone felt it was a great success. A bit of normalcy has returned to Iraq.
More on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
December 17, 2008On 12 December 2008, the Human Rights Council marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a Commemorative session held in Geneva.
The Human Rights Council opened the Commemorative session with children reading out the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration in different languages.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and many high-level dignitaries representing member States of the Human Rights Council addressed the session, offering a platform to present national, regional and international initiatives launched on the occasion of the anniversary.
In his address, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said, “We have come a long way […] but the reality is that we have not lived up to its vision – at least not yet.”
“As we mark this milestone, we must also acknowledge the savage inhumanity that too many people in our world must endure. There is no time to rest.”
In her address to the Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay said, “The recent food emergencies, the degradation of the natural environment, the current financial crisis and the unrest that they engender all underscore that those who are at the frontlines of hardship are also most likely to be the victims of the ripple effects of human rights violations.”
Ms Pillay said an evaluation of the Universal Declaration finds it “as relevant today as it was 60 years ago.”
However she said, “Let us never forget that tens of millions of people around the world are still unaware that they have rights they can demand, and that their governments are accountable to them, and to a wide-ranging body of rights-based national and international law […] it is essential that we keep up the momentum, and thereby enable more and more people to realize their rights.”
Ms Pillay said, “Crucial to the realization of all human rights for all people is the involvement of civil society, including non-governmental organizations and a free press.”
President of the Human Rights Council, Dr. Martin I. Uhomoibhi said, “One of the fundamental challenges we face today is awareness raising, that is how to make sure people, ordinary people, know their rights, so that they can claim them.”
And he underlined “The local level, is where we must concentrate our efforts to make human rights a “living reality”.
Nelson Mandela also sent a special message on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, read out by one of the student of the International School of Geneva.
In his message, Mandela recalled ten years ago, when the Declaration reached 50, “we told the United Nations General Assembly that the challenge posed by the next 50 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights consisted in whether humanity, especially those occupying positions of leadership, would have the courage to build a human world consistent with the articles of the historic Declaration.
“Today this pressing challenge remains more relevant than ever.
“Human rights are in our hands. Our generation, and the men and women who drafted the Declaration 60 years ago, have done our part. Now it is in your hands to ensure that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights becomes a reality to all.”
Finally, since the adoption of the Declaration much had been accomplished: some small steps, major victories. The Declaration has unequivocally shown the way forward, but we must continue to pursue this path without hesitation if we want to ensure that – as expressed by H.E. Archbishop Silvano M. Tomasi, “Every human being has the right to an integral development ant ‘the sacred right’ to live in peace”.
By Floriana Polito, International Delegate at the UN in Geneva
Our man at the UN reports on a special day
December 11, 2008By Joseph Cornelius Donnelly, Caritas Internationalis Head of Delegation at the UN headquarters in New York
Among the countless anniversaries and commemorations which unfold at United Nations headquarters in New York City, this 60th anniversary unfolded on a Spring-like day in December offering something of a respectful pause amidst the otherwise rush of end-of-year meetings, pre-holiday schedules and a weary world’s woes.
Now aging seats in the old Trusteeship Council Chamber swiftly filled up with Member States of the 63rd General Assembly. Wasn’t a standing room only gathering, as there was in recent times for the food crisis, financial crisis, resolution on women, peace & security.
There wasn’t urgent clamoring from diplomats or civil society in balcony. But - there were very serious global voices noting, remarking, remembering. Somalia was mentioned quickly, the Democratic Republic of Congo was noted several times, others. Comments came about counterterrorism measures, lack of respect, tolerance.
As human rights expert advised, informed, challenged any complacency, government representatives spoke - some briefly, some at great length. Words echoed through the Chamber with translators keeping the momentum. The venue was webcast live for all to see, hear - and hopefully take actions.
In Somalia a human rights expert said: “Just another day of suffering…” With what some see as wide attention on crises in Zimbabwe and DRCongo, they state: “Far more atrocities taking place today in Somalia than any other country in the world.”
Another concerned international citizen announced strongly: “It’s no longer possible to say some rights are more important than others. All rights, every right is vital and to be respected.”
Today, more than ever we need not mere annual checklists of improvement. We need substantive actions across all sectors; we need one united UN, galvanizing strength upon strength, fact upon fact - to rescue humanity. In UN speak it’s called system-wide coherence; some Members get it!
Still others argue: don’t be negative, don’t be pessimistic, have hopes.
Indeed, the human rights of disabled persons finally got deserved recognition and entered into international law in 2008.
Good - yes, and a breakthrough, but late like so many recognitions.
Regardless of special needs, circumstances or historic contexts, rights are rights meant to absolutely support the dignity of every human being.
All rights are to be respected without casting about for degrees of rightness. Human rights must be an empowering process especially for marginalized people.
With talk of amnesty, impunity, indictments, international law - followed by democracy, freedom, liberation, integrity and universality, comes the realization at anniversary like this that while some progress has unfolded in the course of the last sixty post W.W.II years - many experts suggest that the last ten years have seen too many setbacks.
Wherever you look around the world, continent to continent, town to village, ignoring human rights helps no one and impoverishes the entire community.
Remembering - the right to food.
Remembering - the right to education.
Remembering - the right to development.
Remembering - the right to religion and freedom of speech.
Remembering - the right to be ALIVE, working, breathing, communicating and contributing peacefully into a responsible engaged global human family.
Thankfully many governments took notice of the vast networks of NGOs and local rights-minded communities, citizens, organizations who hold on wisely, with dedication and significant education outreach… that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood as the First Article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed
on December 10, 1948.
UN Declaration of Human Rights is 60
December 10, 2008On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The 30-point document was adopted by the UN in the aftermath of WWII and emphasises rights and freedoms that are held to apply to everyone in the world.
Why not take a few minutes to read it and send us your reflections.
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23.
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Violence flares in Nigeria
December 3, 2008By Fr. Peter Babangida Audu, National Secretary, JDP/Caritas Nigeria
13.01.08
The situation is Jos in getting better, but there are still some areas that very tense and with presence of military personnel. The dusk to dawn curfew is not lifted yet, but gradually relative calm has returned. Some banks started operation today, and life is returning to normal.
However the state of many refugees is a cause of concern. As of yesterday the camps were crowded with people in great need for basic items.
Reports from the local Caritas shows that there is about 18 camps, while government says 26.
The number is close to 30, 000 people made of children, women, sick, Muslims, Traditionalists and Christians. Some of the camps are strategic and so people could run to them for safety. Some have today left the camps and either returned to what is left of their homes or moved to the suburbs for a while. Most of those left in the camps are people who have nowhere to go to; their homes are burnt, no cloth, not food and are vulnerable to epidemic.
The Nigerian Bishops have called on all the dioceses in the country to organize fundraising.
12.01.08
Reports reaching me show that Jos city, the capital of Plateau State in Nigeria, was in flames last weekend. It all started on Friday. It started as a political conflict which resulted in full scale violence as a result of the Local Government elections which just ended in the state. It is said that some sections were angry because the candidate that won is not their choice.
What started as a political violence then turned religious. Many places of worship are destroyed, houses burned as well as business centres. Many lives are lost. The papers report about 430 persons who have already been given a mass burial. What this means is that the number could be more. Many are injured and now in the hospitals.
The provincial and formation houses of the Augustinian fathers were affected. Some of the students on formationshave been hospitalised. The Archdiocese of Jos and caritas Nigeria is now faced with another man made crisis. The number of IDPs is great. But no full statistics at the moment.
We will however ask for your great support at this time especially for the families that lost their dear ones, the injured, and IDPs.
Let us keep especially the Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius kaigama and the entire people of God in the Archdiocese and the people of Plateau State in our prayers for healing and peace.
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
November 24, 2008By Joseph Cornelius Donnelly, Caritas Internationalis Head of Delegation, UN in New York
On this solemn commemoration of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, the global family of 162 Catholic organixzations which comprise the Caritas Confederation confirm our individual and collective support in distinct recognition of the inalienable rights of Palestinians. As in past years, we deliberately associate ourselves on this occasion with the United Nations General Assembly Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.
We do so once again, however, deeply conscious of the grave circumstances and fragile human situations still endured by women, children, men and elder in Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza. Caritas continues to monitor the daily realities as we accompany these communities in the just cause of the Palestinian people.
We stand in compassionate solidarity with our dedicated, often heroic, colleagues at Caritas Jerusalem and all their partners who have repeatedly spared themselves to address daily human needs in the occupied Palestinian territories - while also painstakingly seeking the peace needed between Israelis and Palestinians. We confirm the imperative contributions of our Member Organizations in the region whose own lives, expertise and aspirations for the Middle East are intimately intertwined with the Palestinian people. This solidarity distinguishes all serious committed stakeholders believing peace is possible.
The inalienable rights of the Palestinian people are defined by law and the international community as: the right to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty, and the return of Palestine refugees to their ancestral homes and lands. These are indigenous, human and political, as recognized in countries around the world. They are integral parts of the long search for a truly comprehensive, just and durable settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We respectfully recognize the diverse journeys of persons, families and comunities through decades of extreme difficulties through terrible times. We implore all others to carefully consider these conditions to further challenge the long held “status quo” toward greater, more urgent interventions. Without substantive engagement to address the well known root causes of this struggle for liberation, Palestinian lives remind captive to occupation, barely existing in their anguished survival, mentally as well as physically.
Their sad story, however, is not without strength, determination, even hope. Many state: “Yes, we have hope. Hope beyond hope. This is our story, past to present.” Indeed, this enduring capacity to remain steadfast amidst insecurity and intensified turmoil is known around the world - with what seem to be more communities offering every kind of moral and practical assistance while never quite matching the vast needs. Gratitudes are measured more by the serious expressions of solidarity than the generous supports, appreciated and needed as they are.
While Palestine, the Holy Land, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims,was partitioned after the adoption of UN-GA resolution 181, exactly sixty-one years ago this week, the contless “temporary” rules and procedures have dug deeply into several generations now as regrettaable permanent facts of life. For 30 years this solemn commemoration, held annually at UN headquarters,
continues to turn the calendars - hoping, working, negotiating, searching. In 2007 there seemed a cautious but renewed energized window of opportunity. World leaders spoke anew for the realization of a free idependent Palestinian state by the close of 2008. Today’s 31st commemoration unfolds amidst heightened frustrations in an alarming humanitarian context with the unforunate sense that yet another year has come and will be gone in one month. The hoped-for 193rd Member State, Palestine,
has not been realized. The flagpole stands still amongst the 192 nations waiting. Despite some serious initiatives no breakthroughs have met the Roadmap. Israeli and Palestinian leaders meet without realizing transormation, reconciliation or alleviating the exacerbating effects of the conflict.
Suffering and displacement continue to cut desperate paths to nowhere.
So it is that we too, aware of extemely complex and often convoluted instances, continue to condemn all acts of violence, every attack against civilians, innocent Palestinians and Israelis. Weapons and military aggression are not the path to peace that’s needed now. The long years of fighting have killed souls and spirits, potentials and peoples. This tragic vulnerability is as high as ever - especially notable amidst the exceptional deprivation of 1.5 million people in Gaza. All leaders share measures of responsibility for the isolsation, the political impasse which has further complicated the quagmire.
We recognize the General Assembly’s efforts through its special committee, but urged that its challenging invitation to Member States, world leaders, civil society and the parties themselves
be made more robust, more concrete in day-to-day efforts and monitored far more asiduously so everyone everywhere can know the facts on-the-ground today. This reality check is quintesstial if anything more than another year of dashed hopes leading to another commemoration for the thirty’secoind year. Without the political will to reach new demanding levels of local and regional partnerships, the acts of patient waiting can be cast aside as pathetic distractions from peace.
As persons and organizations walking closely, deliberately with all, we guarantee our steadfast solidarity - rooted as it is in faith, hope and charity for all. Like countless others we ask God’s blessing to encourage all people and nations of good will, especially the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Together we can help these sisters and brothers come home to the peace which is possible.
Peace in the Holy Land
November 24, 2008Prayer for peace in the Holy Land
By Joespeh Cornelius Donnelly, Head of Caritas Internationalis Delegation, UN in New York,
Lord, Jesus Christ,
Son of the Living God,
we come to in the sacredness of life,
conscious of the gift of every human being,
created in your image and likeness.
We come before you this November time
when the global community notes again
its solemn commemoration and concerns for
the inalienable rights of Palestinian People.
We pray for all your people,
for Jews, Christians and Muslims,
for Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs,
whose lives are inextricably linked everyday
in the Holy Land they must share.
You are the loving author of life.
All rights are God-given, from you to us.
We pray for our sisters and brothers,
longsuffering in Jerusalem, the West Bank,
and in Gaza where they are cut off from us.
We pray for the innocent victims of violence.
We pray that all extreme actions will cease.
We pray for new measures of courageous leadership.
With friends, partners and all believers in The Land,
and across the fragile earth we share, we pray too
that our coming together will multiply good will
for genuine opportunities to build peace together.
We pray for a peace as real as the ancient olive trees
so that a beautiful landscape will be fruitful once more.
We pray that the will for such a peace grows daily
so that in all hearts we unite rather than divide,
so that we can be sheltering trees in good times and bad.
Indeed, Lord,
we pray to walk humbly together,
to love justice as the greatest witness in gratitude to you
for the precious gift of life we treasure -
in the Holy Land and everywhere in the beauty of peace.
Amen.
