Faiths Unite for Peace in the Holy Land

Auxiliary Bishop Richard Umbers, Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay from the Maronite Eparchy, Archbishop Amel Nona from the Chaldean Catholic Diocese, and Bishop Daniel from the Coptic Orthodox Church. Photo by Patrick Lee/Catholic Weekly

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has called on people of all faiths to unite for peace at an event at St. Mary’s Cathedral on December 6, hosted jointly with the chair of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s Commission for Christian Unity and Inter-Religious Dialogue, Bathurst Bishop Michael McKenna.

The evening of prayer, silent reflection, bell-tolling, candle lighting, solemn music and scripture readings brought together people from many different faith traditions, united in solidarity to lament the horrors and heartache of wars around the world and to pray for a just and lasting peace.

Church leaders from the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches were particularly well represented at the event, including archbishops and bishops from the Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Maronite, and Chaldean Churches.

The brutality of war can often lead believers to question their faith in God, but it is in these dark times, we can indeed find peace in place of turmoil, Archbishop Fisher said.

“Our hope is not ultimately in human peace processes, important as these are; it is hope in the God who can change hearts, put forgiveness where there is vengeance, peace in place of turmoil, love instead of hate.”

– Catholic Weekly