PRESS RELEASE
For immediate use
3 September 2014
Coptic Orthodox Church UK
Media and Communications Office
Coptic Orthodox Church (Europe)
Media and Communications Office
In an unprecedented ecumenical gathering at Lambeth
Palace hosted by The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and
initiated by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox
Church in the United Kingdom, a statement was agreed by leaders and
representatives of the Churches of the Middle East and the wider Christian
Church in Britain.
The meeting began
with a round table discussion regarding the plight of Christians and minority
communities in Iraq, Syria and the wider Middle East. A statement was
then agreed, expressing solidarity with, and advocating for, all those who
continue to suffer gross violations of the fundamental right and freedom to
practice their chosen faith.
The round table discussion was followed by a service of prayer to give thanks for Christians in
the Middle East and to remember all those who have lost their lives or continue
to suffer persecution. A short press briefing followed.
After the meeting,
Bishop Angaelos said:
It is incomprehensible
and unacceptable in the 21st Century that our sisters and brothers
in the Middle East face intimidation and death for exercising their freedom of
religion or belief, or merely being of a certain ethnic background.
We have gathered
today as leaders and representatives of Churches in the Middle East within the
wider Church in Britain to stand in solidarity with those who are persecuted
for their Christian faith, as well as all who fall victim to injustice.
We have spoken in one
voice, calling for the continued support of Christians and minority groups
across the Middle East, and pray protection upon them while they remain
steadfast in the face of unimaginable challenges.
With regards to media coverage of the
plight of Christians in the Middle East, Archbishop Justin said:
When
you are looking at the murder and the slaughter of vast numbers of people there
is never enough in terms of coverage, and it is easy to forget that is part of
a global process of immense suffering. I think in looking at the Middle East we
hope that the media will not move on quickly but will continue to remember
those who are suffering so greatly.
The statement is below:
Meeting
and Service of Prayer for Christians in the Middle East
REJOICING
IN THEIR FAITH AND SHARING IN THEIR COLLECTIVE PAIN
3 September 2014
A new situation has arisen which creates a
state of emergency in the Middle East for Christians and other religious and
ethnic minorities. The recent increase in violence and aggression has resulted
in gross violations of fundamental rights and freedoms in the region. We
gathered today as Christians including those originally from the Middle East to
stand in solidarity and prayer with our brothers and sisters who seek to
practice their faith and belief in lands where they have been a continuing
presence for centuries.
The Middle East is the birthplace of
Christianity, and home to indigenous Christian communities that have been an
indispensable part of its history. Despite the challenges, Christians in the
region were and are a stabilising and reconciling presence. Today, particularly
in Iraq and Syria, they are at great risk from violence fostered by extremist
ideologies which no longer see them as being part of the future. The Middle
East is in desperate danger of losing an irreplaceable part of its identity,
heritage and culture.
We are seeing an extreme religious ideology
that knows no limits in its persecution of those who are culturally or
religiously different. Those who promote this intolerance must be challenged
and the perpetrators of violence held to account. The suffering of those who
bear the brunt of its terror requires us to act and bear witness to their
plight, whatever ethnic group or religious minority, they come from. We must
provide relief and safety for those displaced and in fear of their lives in
consultation with our partners in the region. We must also bring pressure to
bear on those who can provide security to those affected.
In meeting and praying together, we give
thanks for our brothers and sisters as they continue to live their Christian
faith with strength and perseverance. We commit to continue to stand with them
in prayer, to speak for freedom from persecution for Christians and all other
religious communities and those of no faith who live as minority groups across
the region. We also continue to urge Her Majesty’s Government to work within
the international community to safeguard and provide for all those affected.
To our brothers and sisters in the Middle
East, We “share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the
patient endurance.” Revelation 1:9
*Ends*
