There is a chance to hear the renowned pianist Bobby Chen on Saturday, 27 April, when he gives a special concert in aid of humanitarian relief for the Holy Land at Farm Street Church, Mayfair, London. A reception will follow the concert.
All proceeds will be donated through the Humanitarian Relief Fund of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem through the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
Bobby Chen will play
Beethoven’s – Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, marked Quasi una fantasia, Op. 27, No. 2 Moonlight
Schubert’s Four Impromptus. D.899 (Op.90) (complete)
Liszt – Sonetto 104 del Petrarca, from Annes de pèlerinage II, S.161
Mist – Ballade No. 2 in B minor, S.171
The concert takes place on Saturday, 27 April 2024 at 7.30pm.
Farm Street Church, 114 Mount Street, Mayfair, W1K 3AH
Tickets are £50 for the concert and reception – £25 concert only.
Christians for Palestine outside St Paul’s Cathedral, January 2024
Date: 9 May 2024 Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm Venue: Our Lady of Victories, Kensington, 235a Kensington High St, London W8 6SF, UK
Westminster Justice and Peace began the Holy Land Roundtables in response to the horrendous series of events unfolding in our news bulletins since 7th October 2023, with first the massacre of over 1,200 people in Israel by Hamas and the taking of around 240 hostages, then full-scale retaliatory military action by the Israeli government across the whole of Gaza.
Six months later, the conflict continues to escalate, with homes and infrastructure destroyed, the entire population of Gaza facing famine, and more than 100 men, women and children still being held hostage. Now, there is an increasing threat of escalation of the conflict to other countries in the Middle East.
This Roundtable aims to gather together Catholics from across the Diocese with an interest in exploring our collective response as a community and asking what more we could do?
All are welcome to join us for our third meeting at Our Lady of Victories Parish Centre, 235a Kensington High Street.
We are currently setting up a working party to be responsible for the Roundtable and facilitating a Justice & Peace response in the diocese in five main areas:
1) Muslim, Christian & Jewish relations in Westminster Diocese. 2) Supporting local parish responses to the conflict. 3) Promoting prayer and liturgy for peace. 4) Assisting Christians and other communities in the Holy Land. 5) Campaigning for a ceasefire and ending weapons sales.
Please do come along to find out more or get in touch with the Westminster Justice and Peace Co-ordinator, Colette Joyce, on 07593 434 905 colettejoyce@rcdow.org.uk
Father Fadi Diab, Rector of the Anglican Parish in Ramallah, received a warm welcome when he visited the parish of Our Lady Help of Christians in Kentish Town, North London, on Saturday. Fr Fadi is currently on a visit to the UK hosted by Friends of the Holy Land.
Fr Fadi will be joining Westminster Justice and Peace for the Westminster Holy Land Roundtable on Saturday 23rd March, 4-6pm, at Farm Street. More details
Born and educated in the West Bank, Fr Fadi is a founder of the Youth Connection for Peace Programme, a member of the Palestine-Israeli Theologians Forum and the Palestine Advisory Council of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, co-author of Kairos Palestine document and board member on Kairos-Palestine. He has presented workshops at the World Council of Churches on the theological understanding of the Palestine Israeli conflict.
Fr Fadi began by thanking everyone present for their support. “It means a lot to know to know you care, Its means a lot to know we are not abandoned. We are all part of the Body of Christ. People who care.”
The situation in the last few months has been “heartbreaking, devastating” for the people of Gaza and the West Bank, he said. But he pointed out: “This situation didn’t start on October 7. The settler colonial project began more than 75 years ago. “Israel wants to take all the land and get rid of the people of the land…”
“In Gaza it is not a war against Hamas,” he said. “Its a war against all Palestinians.” In the West Bank (which is not run by Hamas) since October around 500 people, including many children have been killed in attacks by settlers and the Israeli army. 50 houses have been demolished.
Gaza at the present time “is another story” he said. “It is beyond imagination! More than 33,000 killed. 13,000 children. 7,000 women. Thousands more are missing under the rubble. Schools, hospitals, mosques, churches, universities, and most homes all destroyed.” The population is now facing starvation.
“We believe human being were created in the image of God – to kill one person is to kill humanity.”
Fr Fadi said there is an urgent need for “awakening” in churches abroad. “They are so often silent, shy or complicit.” He said he is often surprised at how little many Christians know about the Holy Land.
But he was encouraged to see so many demonstrations taking place in the UK. “Its a process” he said. “It is our mission to challenge structures of injustice. God’s plan is for every person to be treated equally. No one should be left out.”
Fr Fadi went on to describe the desperate plight of Christians in the Holy Land. “We are facing an existential crisis – the decline of Christians in Holy Land. The place God chose to send the Messiah… This is the community that traces its roots back to the first Christians. They have been there for two millennium witnessing to the message of Jesus Christ – looking after pilgrims – but now most of them have left.”
“In 1917 they were 17- 20% of the population. Today Christians are less than 2 per cent. 90% of Christians from Ramallah now live in US. There are less than 50,000 Christians in West Bank. All 900 Christians in Gaza have filed immigration applications.”
80% of Christians in Bethlehem rely on tourism. For two years during the pandemic there were no pilgrims and people faced real difficulties. Now things are much worse. 100,000 Palestinians from the West Bank used to go to Israel to work. But since October they have had their work permits revoked. Now Israel is bringing in people from India and other countries to do their jobs, Fr Fadi said.
“The challenge for Christians is huge. Young people are fed up. They have lost hope… The Church, together with the UN and government provide all the education, health and social social care. To lose that would be really frightening. To think of the Holy Land without Christians is frightening.”
Fr Fadi is Chair of the Holy Land Committee of Friends of the Holy Land, an ecumenical, non-political charity with a mission, together with other Christian charities is to secure a resilient and enduring Christian community in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and Jordan – transforming lives through education, scholarships, medical and social care for the young and old, as well as food these days. Since the latest crisis, Fr Fadi said many people are on the “edge of collapse,” suffering from depression and anxiety, and so Friends of the Holy Land has introduced trauma counselling programs.
“We feel this is a Kairos moment – to respond to the situation in every way we can – offering support and promoting peace and justice” Fr Fadi said.
During the Q& A afterwards Fr Fadi was asked what he would like to see UK churches do. He responded by saying that the UK is responsible for what has happened in the Holy Land on many levels, and so we should have a role in restoring justice. “The Church needs to put pressure on the government” he said. “The Church should be crystal clear about that… the. UK should not be providing weapons to Israel” he said.
Churches in the UK need to educate people more, Fr Fadi said. “I’m surprised at how little people know. This should be a central component in UK churches and all over the world.
Fr Fadi said we need to question where we invest our money. “There is no limit to educating people about ethical questions.” And he pointed out the need for constant prayers. Three faiths have lived in the Holy Land for so many centuries, it can accommodate them peacefully, he said.
At the end of the talk, Brendan Metcalfe, director of Friends of the Holy Land reminded everyone that the FHL website has a section for prayers, as well as a news page “so we know what we’re praying for.” See: www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/
He also had a meeting with Bishop Nicholas Hudson.
On Sunday, he preached at the 9am & 11am services at Southwark Anglican Cathedral and had a Q&A with the congregation. Watch the service here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTh7qHWPpJc&t=6s
Christians for Palestine bloc outside St Paul’s Cathedral
The next Westminster Holy Land Roundtable, hosted by the Westminster Justice and Peace Commission, will take place on Saturday, 23 March, from 4-6pm, at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mayfair, 114 Mount Street, London, W1K 3AH, to share and discuss the response of the Catholic community in the Diocese of Westminster to war and conflict in the Holy Land.
The horrendous series of events unfolding in our news bulletins since the 7th October attack by Hamas in which 1,200 were killed and over 250 were taken hostage, and the subsequent retaliation by Israel in which over 30,000 people have been killed – most of them women and children, where over 1.8 million people have seen their homes destroyed and are now facing a major famine – has increased the concern of people everywhere for the Holy Land.
Following the first Roundtable on 20th February, we are hoping to gather Catholics in the Diocese with an interest in exploring our collective response to strife in the Holy Land and asking what more we could do as a community?
We hope to set up a Working Party to cover the following areas:
· Christian, Muslim and Jewish relations in the Diocese. · The ‘Ceasefire Now!’ rallies and liaising with the ‘Christians for Palestine’ group. . Liaising with Catholic parishes and other organisations. · Prayer and Liturgy. · Support for Catholics and other Christians in the Holy Land.
If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, but are unable to attend the meeting on 23rd March, please contact Colette Joyce directly on colettejoyce@rcdow.org.uk for further details or a chat.
It is not necessary to register, but it will be helpful for us to gauge numbers if you do. Many thanks.
Father Fadi Diab, Rector of the Anglican Parish in Ramallah, is coming speak in the Parish Centre of Our Lady Help of Christians in Kentish Town on Saturday, 16 March, about the present situation in the Holy Land and its effect on Christian communities, and take questions. The event will last from 2-4pm. Light refreshments will be available.
Born and educated in the West Bank, Fr Fadi is the Rector St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Ramallah and St Peter’s, Birzeit. Fr Fadi’s ministry includes midweek youth service, Bible study, Women’s group, Youth group, Sunday school, an Acolyte programme, a new choir and a Celebrating Family program. Fr Fadi provides leadership and pastoral support for St Andrew’s school, the Episcopal Vocation and Training Centre and his sister Parish in Birzeit with a developing elderly home project, St Peter’s.
His vision includes supporting the Christian community spiritually and socially, strengthening Christians in the Holy Land to enabling them to stay in the area and to continue witness to the Gospel of Christ. Fr Fadi is a Founder of the Youth Connection for Peace Programme, a member of the Palestine-Israeli Theologians Forum, a member of the Palestine Advisory Council of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship and co-author of Kairos Palestine document and board member on Kairos-Palestine. He has presented workshops at the World Council of Churches on the theological understanding of the Palestine Israeli conflict and spoken widely at churches in the USA. He visits parishes in the UK regularly during non-Covid times.
Pope Francis has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged us to raise our voices to say ‘Enough’. Join us in this prayer Novena to add your voice.
All are welcome to join Westminster Justice and Peace for our on-going online 9-Day Novena of Prayer for the Holy Land every evening until Friday 8th March, 8.00-8.45pm
Dates: 29th February – 8th March 2024, 8.00-8.45pm
In this Novena to Our Lady Untier of Knots, we pray for the populations of Palestine and Israel suffering the terrible consequences of violence and war and for an end to all war.
We pray that they may feel the concrete reality of God’s love.
The Novena to Our Lady Untier of Knots is a wonderful nine-day prayer dedicated to the Mother of God.
It is Pope Francis’ favourite Novena and one of the most popular Novenas worldwide.
You are welcome to join us for as much or as little of the Novena as you are able.
Please email Colette Joyce on justiceandpeace@rcdow.org.uk to get the Zoom link if the Eventbrite booking is full.
Pope Francis issued another heartfelt appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, on Sunday. Speaking during the Angelus in St Peter’s Square, he said: “Every day, in my heart, I carry the pain and suffering of the populations in Palestine and Israel due to the ongoing hostilities.”
Expressing grief for “the thousands of dead, the wounded, the displaced, the immense destruction that wreaks pain and suffering on the small and defenceless who see their future compromised.” Pope Francis called on all men and women of goodwill to raise their cry for peace.
“Do we really think we are building a better world in this way? .. Enough, please. Let us all say: Enough, please!” he repeated: “Stop the war.”
“Let us all say: “Enough”, please!”
The Pope continued with an appeal to continue negotiations for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and throughout the region, “so that the hostages may be freed and return to their anxiously awaiting loved ones, and so that the civilian population may have safe access to necessary and urgent humanitarian aid.”
“I encourage the continuation of negotiations for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and throughout the region.”
And please, he concluded: “Don’t forget tormented Ukraine, where many people die every day. It is a place of great sorrow.”
Pope Francis’ appeal on the Third Sunday of Lent is just the latest in many he has issued since 7 October 2023.
There are still 130 Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas, with over 30 of them feared dead.
The death toll of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes on the Gaza strip has exceeded 30,000, with many thousands more missing. More than 70,000 people have been injured, while there is very limited medical available, as all the hospitals have been bombed and are desperately short of medical supplies. More than 1.3 million people have been displaced and facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation. Two-thirds of them are women and children.
The head of the Norwegian Refugee Council who has just returned from Gaza has said there is now a famine in the north of the territory. Yan Egerlund told the BBC that he had been prepared for a nightmare, but what he saw was much worse. He said that was because Israel was not opening nearby border crossings to let aid in. He also condemned the United States, Germany and the UK for selling weapons to Israel.
During his Angelus address Pope Francis also mentioned the upcoming International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness challenging our family of nations to be bold and work for disarmament.
At a time in which military and arms spending is soaring due to the many conflicts afflicting the world, the Holy Father urged all members of “the great family of nations” to be courageous and work for disarmament.
He recalled that on March 5, the second International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness is observed.
“How many resources are wasted on military expenses that, due to the current situation, sadly continue to increase!” He expressed his hope for a shift in mindset and investments.
“I strongly hope that the international community understands that disarmament is, above all, a duty: disarmament is a moral obligation… Disarmament is a duty: a moral obligation.”.. “We need to engrave this in our minds!”
“This requires courage from all members of the great family of nations: to shift from the balance of fear to a balance of trust.”
In this Novena to Our Lady Untier of Knots, we pray for the populations of Palestine and Israel suffering the terrible consequences of violence and war and for an end to all war.
We pray that they may feel the concrete reality of God’s love.
The Novena to Our Lady Untier of Knots is a wonderful nine-day prayer dedicated to the Mother of God.
It is Pope Francis’ favourite Novena and one of the most popular Novenas worldwide.
You are welcome to join us for as much or as little of the Novena as you are able.
Please email Colette Joyce on justiceandpeace@rcdow.org.uk to get the Zoom link if the Eventbrite booking is full.
As we move into Lent and begin our spiritual preparations for Easter, “Friends of the Holy Land” invite you to use this time to remember and support our brothers and sisters in crisis throughout the Holy Land. They need you now more than ever.
Friends of the Holy Land have set up a special fund to help the Christian community in the Holy Land endure this crisis and become more resilient. For those who sign up throughout Lent they will tell you more about the initiatives you will be supporting, but here’s why they need the Fund right now:
Gaza: directly helping those in need
Contacts in the Holy land report that there are still about 820 adults and children sheltering in Gaza’s two main churches. Every day involves fear, prayers, and one piece of bread to eat.
International aid can’t reach them, so we are directly helping with financial support for their basic provisions – we must keep it up until there’s a ceasefire.
The West Bank: building resilience
In Bethlehem and the rest of the West Bank, mass unemployment has hit hard.
80% of Palestinian Christians have lost their income as tourism has collapsed and travel to work is restricted.
In the short-term, Friends of the Holy Land are helping desperate families pay the bills. In the long-term, they will help them develop other businesses that are less reliant on tourism.
Could you contribute £1 for each day of Lent? That £40 would go a long way.
Diocese of Westminster Justice and Peace Commission 