A Cry to End the Violence

                                                                         A Family in Gaza

Here is the statement from various Christian denominations and agencies regarding the profoundly sad and bleak situation in Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. While it's hard to imagine that any such statements will make a difference, it's important to raise our voices and to do so collectively. 

Published On: October 13, 2023

A Cry to End the Violence and to uphold the rights of all civilians to life and freedom from violence and discrimination.

KAIROS Canada and its member churches and agencies—including Anglican Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Mennonite Central Committee of Canada, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and The United Church of Canada—are following reports of the escalation of violence between Hamas and Israel and the mounting civilian death tolls in Israel, Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem with deepening alarm and profound grief.

We condemn the violence, particularly against Israeli and Palestinian civilians, which constitutes a war crime. The level of human loss and suffering is unconscionable and must stop. We lament the loss of Palestinian voices for peace in international media that fails to distinguish between Hamas and Palestinian civilians.

We call on our members and all people of goodwill to:

• pray and work for a just and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis;
• write to their Member of Parliament to urge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister Melanie Joly to call for:
  • an immediate ceasefire;
  • a safe corridor to provide humanitarian relief to Gaza;
  • an end to the misery of the current blockade;
  • the immediate and safe release of all hostages;
  • the rights to life and freedom of both Palestinians and Israelis;
• support and amplify the voices of faith based and grassroots civil society peace and development organizations in Palestine and Israel who are calling for an end to the violence and a just and lasting peace.

In addition to condemning the spiraling violence and doing everything in its power for an immediate ceasefire, Canada must work with renewed effort toward peace with justice that upholds the rights of both Palestinians and Israelis to life and to freedom from violence and discrimination, and an end to the occupation.

Please read the full statement below.

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Anglican Church of Canada
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Mennonite Central Committee of Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada
The United Church of Canada

https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/2023-10/ecumenical-statement-violence-hamas-israel.pdf

And here is a prayer from the Canadian Council of Churches:

Words fail to convey how heavily the stories of violence and despair emerging from our screens weigh on our hearts. Yet we recognize that in this case, remaining silent is itself a form of violence.  

Along with countless others around the world, we share the outrage, grief, and sense of helplessness recent events have awakened.   

May we look to the Holy Spirit when we feel helpless, when we do not know what to pray, when words fail to contain the groaning of lament.   

May those of us who may be distant from these unfolding events seek to bear witness to the reality of injustice, oppression, violence, and historical complexity rather than turn away. 

May we not harden our hearts to the cries of the victims. 

May we remember that peace, to be restorative, must be rooted in truth and built on justice while also embracing the way of love.1

May we not ignore the necessary foundation of human rights: that we are all made in the image of God.

May we pray for endurance to continue the long road of peace and restoration that calls us to take responsibility for past injustices and repentant of any complicity in oppression. 

May we never fail to recall that even while in the midst of violence, we can call for adherence to international humanitarian law.   

May we acknowledge the painful complexity of forgiveness and reconciliation. 

May we commit ourselves and one another to not cease labouring for peace and justice. 

May we hold space not merely for sorrow, but also hope and peace that transcend the sum of present circumstances.

Prince of Peace, come quickly.