Tag: christians-for-palestine

Record numbers attend 24th National March for Palestine

Jo Siedlecka (l) at National March for Palestine. Photo: ICN

Report by Jo Siedlecka, Independent Catholic News

More than 175,000 people of all faiths and none took part in the 24th March for Palestine in London on Saturday, 15 February.

The Christian Bloc gathered for prayers at St Matthew’s Church Westminster, before joining the main body of the march in Parliament Square to walk to the US Embassy.

The short service of hymns, readings and prayers opened with a call to worship written by Palestinian women for the World Day of Prayer 2024: “Let us praise God who brings us together to worship in love and unity – Unity in the Triune God, transcending difference in views and theological interpretations. Let us remember these essential qualities of people of faith: humility gentlest ness , patience and love.”

Another prayer written by Palestinian Christians was an appeal:

“God of Compassion, for nearly 80 years Palestinian people have endured dispossession and loss. From Gaza to the West Bank the weight of impression continues to bear down on our hearts.. We grieve the pain of those who have lived through generations of injustice …. Grant peace to the afflicted, comfort the grieving and strength to the oppressed. Embolden the world to put an end to the cycle of violence and injustice.”

After singing the final hymn: – ‘We Are Marching’ – participants began to file out with banners including: ‘Quakers For Peace’, ‘Christians For Palestine’ ‘Palestinian Lives Matter – Break the Chains of Injustice.’

We were soon swept up in the huge demo – Continue Reading on Independent Catholic News

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Christians for Palestine – 2 November 2024 Report

Photo: Christians for Palestine

By Jo Siedlecka, Independent Catholic News

Christians gathered for ecumenical prayers in St Matthews Church, Westminster, on Saturday, before joining the Christian Bloc on the latest National March for Palestine.

After a welcome by the Rector of St Matthews, Fr Philip Chester, this gathering statement was read, reminding all that it was All Souls Day when the Church comes together to remember all who have died:

“This day also marks the 107th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration… which was instrumental in the creation of the state of Israel, the dispossession of the Palestinian people and many decades of oppression and violence.

“With lament we recall the role played by Christian Zionist theology in this dark history. This same theology continues to be employed today as a pretext for ongoing ethnic cleansing, apartheid and genocide.

As we gather for prayers on this All Souls Day – mourning every life taken in Gaza, in the West Bank, in Lebanon and across the Middle East – we refuse to let our faith be used to justify so many atrocities. We are united in our belief in a gospel of liberation. None of us are free until all are free.”

After the service ended, participants from many denominations, including Anglicans, Catholics, Methodists, Quakers (and two dogs) processed out to join the main march to the American Embassy, led by a drummer.

One of the marchers, Jenny Rossiter from Kentish Town told ICN: “I had to join the service on All Souls Day to remember all those lives that have been cut short by this hideous conflict.”

Continue reading on Independent Catholic News

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