18.08.2022
“We stand in sorrow with Rector and parishioners” – Archbishop expresses solidarity after Ramallah church damage
The Archbishop of Dublin has expressed his sorrow and solidarity with the Rector and parishioners of St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Ramallah and with the Archbishop of Jerusalem, following damage caused to the church this morning (Thursday August 18). The church is located in the Diocese of Jerusalem with which the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough has had a partnership link since 2016.
The Diocese of Jerusalem reports that St Andrew’s Church was damaged when Israeli forces occupied the church complex for two hours early this morning. In a statement (see below), the diocese said that Israeli forces made an “unannounced and unwarranted raid” on the St Andrew’s complex which included the church, parish hall, church offices, rectory and the Arab Episcopal Medical Center.
The diocese stated that, while there was no justification for the incursion into church premises, the Israeli forces later said that the raid was on Al–Haq, a West Bank human rights group, to whom St Andrew’s rents and office which is accessed via a separate entrance.
Condemning the incident, the diocese, which is led by Archbishop Hosam Naoum, described it as a violation of international law and a terroristic act against the entire community and has asked for an investigation into the incident.
“Places of worship and church compounds should be sanctuaries for communities to feel safe to practice their faith and ministry. […] The Diocese considers the offense on the complex of St Andrew’s in Ramallah an assault against its free exercise of religion as an established and officially recognised Christian Church,” the statement read.
In Dublin, Archbishop Michael Jackson, expressed his intense sadness and alarm at the incident.
“For a significant number of years, we in the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough have had a partnership relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem. This relationship enriches our understanding of life as lived by Christians in the Land of the Holy One and inspires us in our own daily witness to God and neighbour through knowing of their selflessness and service,” he commented.
Archbishop Jackson added: “It is, therefore, with intense sadness and alarm that we learn of the attack on St Andrew’s Church, Ramallah. St Andrew’s is a church which I have visited and in which I have worshipped. It is also a church where we have assisted in the installation of a medical centre which is open to all the residents of Ramallah irrespective of culture or religion. St Andrew’s is a place of grace and of healing”.
“Sacred buildings and sacred sites are not only historical places, they are also living places where communities are formed and from which communities of faith serve their neighbours as well as their members. We share the international sense of condemnation and outrage at what has been done to St Andrew’s Church, its structure and its contents. We stand in sorrow with the rector and parishioners. We hold the whole community of Ramallah in our prayers. We pray for peace with justice and respect. We assure the parishioners of St Andrew’s of our love in these dark and dangerous days and express our solidarity to Archbishop Hosam Naoum, a dear friend of our diocese,” he concluded.
