29.11.2023
Archbishop Welcomes Bishops’ Appeal Support for ‘Shine a Light for Diocese of Jerusalem’
Bishops’ Appeal has announced that it will partner with Dublin and Glendalough’s ‘Shine a Light for the Diocese of Jerusalem’ appeal, along with Tearfund, for its Advent and Christmas Appeal 2023. Announcing details of the 2023 appeal, Bishops’ Appeal said it focused on supporting those in great need in the Middle East.
“Our focus on the desperate needs in the Middle East enables us to partner with the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough who are running the ‘Shine A Light for the Diocese of Jerusalem’ campaign, and also to help with the overwhelming needs of displaced people who are now living in Lebanon as well,” Bishops’ Appeal stated.
Their statement continued: “Our intention is to channel the funds raised through our trusted partners on the ground – the Diocese of Jerusalem (with whom the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough has been in relationship for a number of years) in their outreach to those impacted by war, and also to Tearfund partners working in Lebanon and in some of the areas and countries bordering Gaza and Israel where already things are precarious and extremely tense. Where there is the danger of further tension, violence and devastation erupting at any time”.
Our Shine a Light for the Diocese of Jerusalem appeal has already raised over €25,000 and we are grateful to everyone who has donated so far. All the funds raised will go directly to our partners in the Diocese of Jerusalem to be used in their outreach to all affected by this war. We are currently working with our partners in the Diocese of Jerusalem to ascertain what the areas of greatest need are.
The diocese owns and runs Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City which hit the headlines around the world following the deadly explosion in its compound on October 17. It also was the last hospital functioning in the city before the doctors fled south when they ran out of medical supplies. The diocese also has other hospitals in the West Bank and Israel as well as schools and education centres.
These centres include the Princess Basma Centre on the Mount of Olives which is an inclusive facility for children with disabilities. The centre had been due to open an outreach facility in Al Ahli this month to support children who had to travel from Gaza for treatment. The diocese has said that the work of the centre will be all the more important as they help newly maimed children and those suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of the current war.
Welcoming the support of Bishops’ Appeal, Archbishop Michael Jackson said: “Bishops’ Appeal responds to crises all over the world, finding trusted partners on the ground each time. We are pleased that through our diocesan link with the Diocese of Jerusalem, people of the wider Church of Ireland will have an opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives which have been torn apart by this war. Over almost a decade we have seen the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem as they serve all who call out to them, no matter what their faith or background. They see this as their Christian service and we are humbled by it”.
Bishops’ Appeal observed that this part of the Middle East is where Jesus lived, worked and worshipped and where he demonstrated God’s love, compassionate kindness and saving grace through his sacrificial death on the Cross for all mankind. “Where today the ‘little town of Bethlehem’ that we will sing about in our Carol Services is only a short distance from the devastation being experienced in Gaza, and from the kibbutz area where Hamas carried out their deadly massacre on October 7th,” their statement reads adding, “There is no doubt of the level of suffering that this conflict has caused, with men, women and children killed, injured, made homeless, and lives utterly devastated by the violence”.
Bishops’ Appeal is urging people, if they can, to give something to help those most affected. Bishops’ Appeal envelopes are available in each diocese, or donations can be made directly at this link: https://store.ireland.anglican.org/donations/the-bishops-appeal
You can donate directly to the Shine a Light for the Diocese of Jerusalem appeal by bank transfer to Diocesan Funds of Dublin and Glendalough No 1 A/C Current Account, Bank of Ireland, 2 COLLEGE GREEN DUBLIN 2 IBAN: IE50 BOFI 9000 1769 3548 78, BIC: BOFIIE2D. Cheques may be sent to Diocesan Offices of Dublin and Glendalough, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF67. All funds will go directly to our partner Diocese of Jerusalem.
The Shine a Light for the Diocese of Jerusalem Appeal will be officially launched in St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, on Monday December 4 at 6.30pm. All are welcome but please RSVP for catering purposes to Caoimhe.Leppard@rcbcoi.org