Anglicans and Palestinian Christians

 

Do you recall the news from before Christmas about the Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac? He created a nativity in his West Bank church unlike any other, with the baby Jesus in the midst of a pile of rubble, signifying the destruction of Gaza. He preached a sermon which included the words in the image above.  

Recently Rev. Isaac was in Great Britain to speak at a pro-Palestinian rally and sought a meeting the the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. I've appreciated some of Welby's statements on migrants and refugees but I was dismayed to hear that he declined meeting with Munther, a choice which deeply disappointed the Palestinian cleric. Welby had been advised that meeting Isaac would cause significant problems for his relations with the Jewish community in the UK.

Yesterday Welby issued a statement of regret for his actions: “Recently I declined to meet with Rev Dr Munther Isaac during his UK visit. I apologise for and deeply regret this decision, and the hurt, anger, and confusion it caused."

Isaac replied: “Thank you archbishop. I welcome this statement, and I look forward to our meeting next week as brothers in Christ.” Welby has admitted he was wrong and Isaac along others have accepted the apology. Some have not been so forgiving, including a British Christian group supporting Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. 

The apology was essential, and the situation certainly demonstrates the difficulty faced by religious and political leaders around the world.  As leader of the world-wide Anglican communion Welby is aware of the implications of his choices. There has been a rise of anti-semitism in Britain which he wouldn't want to fuel.  There is an Anglican presence in Israel and Christians have been under threat by right-wing Jewish groups. There are reasons, of a sort, for his original decision, but initially he did the wrong thing.

Let's hope that the meeting with Rev. Isaac will be an opportunity to express solidarity of the already beleaguered Palestianian Christians of the region.