Jerusalem 4th August, 2006
Time for Churches to Speak Out and Take Action
Jerusalem - Oslo : With this statement, as a servant of God and bishop
in the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
in the Holy Land, beseech all churches in Europe, as well as individuals and
organizations linked to them,
to speak out and take immediate action to stop the latest Israeli aggression
and violence in both Lebanon and Palestine.
The recent events taking place in Lebanon and the Holy Land contradict all religious
and moral principles which we hold high and advocate.
We request your intervention to urge Israel to comply
with International Humanitarian law which implies the protection
of civilians during hostilities and to respect International Criminal Law
related to war crimes and crimes against Humanity.
Churches are required to raise their voices and to urge conflicting parties
to respect human rights and values, as enshrined in all human rights documents,
which stem from divine laws as we uphold them,
we believe that churches have the moral obligation to protect innocent lives
and take part in solving conflict in order to further peace and human dignity.
Therefore, we church leaders from the holy land,
respectfully ask our brothers and sisters in Christ
to speak out pressure their respective governments
to take to take action and call for a ceasefire in order
to stop the gross violations of human rights
that are taking place at moment in both Lebanon and Palestine.
Archbishop Theodosios “Atallah Hanna”
Archbishop of Sevastia
Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem