[World Council of Churches] World Council of Churches general secretary the Rev. Jerry Pillay met with the patriarchs and heads of churches in Jerusalem on Feb. 17  and was received with gratitude “at this difficult and complicated time for all the peoples of this region, and especially for the Christian community of the Holy Land,” His Beatitude Theophilos III, patriarch of Jerusalem, said in a welcome address. 

The patriarch called for unity, peace and reconciliation. “This is our common human vocation and our common human destiny,” he said. “Our historical experience in the Holy Land is a powerful and tangible example that synagogue, church, and mosque may exist side-by-side in mutual respect.”

Pillay expressed deep appreciation for the hosts of the WCC delegation, and reiterated the WCC’s call for an end to the war and a dialogue for peace. He shared that the WCC has journeyed on the Palestine and Israel issue for many years and has always supported the call for just peace in Palestine. 

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