Christian leaders reject Kairos II at Church of England Synod

A coalition of Christian pastors, theologians, and lay leaders has issued a public declaration opposing the Church of England’s engagement with a document titled “A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide,” known as Kairos II. The “Declaration Against Kairos II” urges Christians worldwide to reject what the signatories describe as theological distortions that harm Jewish-Christian relations. The declaration was published in response to the General Synod’s decision to “hear” the document, a move that drew strong opposition from Jewish leaders.

Kairos II, produced by the Palestinian Christian movement Kairos Palestine, characterizes Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as genocide and describes Israel as a colonial, settler, and exclusionary entity. The document asserts that the situation on the ground is one of tyranny and oppressive settler colonialism, rejecting the term “conflict” as an evasion of manifest truth. In its text, Kairos II states that any denial of this reality reinforces and perpetuates injustice.

The coalition opposing the document describes its language as inaccurate, one-sided, and dangerous. In their declaration, the signatories state that they cannot receive Kairos II or endorse its hearing in a Christian context. They argue that the document is not in the interests of Palestinian Christians and hinders the cause of peace by failing to acknowledge the root causes of pain in Gaza and the West Bank. The coalition also contends that the document’s rhetoric rationalizes the atrocities committed by Palestinian terror factions on October 7, 2023.

The Church of England’s General Synod, meeting in York, voted by a wide margin on Monday to “hear” the document rather than “receive” it, as originally proposed. Archbishop Sarah Mullally addressed the Synod, noting that hearing such documents does not imply agreement with their contents. This decision followed significant pushback from Jewish leaders who opposed the engagement with the text.

The dispute highlights a growing tension within Christian communities over how to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the status of Israel. While Kairos II frames the conflict through the lens of colonialism and apartheid, the opposing coalition emphasizes the need for truth and peace, citing the biblical command against bearing false witness. The coalition asserts that the document’s accusations of genocide are unsubstantiated in relation to Israel’s stated goals of rescuing hostages and dismantling Hamas capabilities.

This public disagreement reflects broader challenges in maintaining constructive Jewish-Christian dialogue amid the ongoing conflict. The coalition’s declaration seeks to uphold what they view as accurate and merciful witness, calling for a rejection of rhetoric they believe distorts the moral and theological landscape. The incident underscores the difficulty of navigating complex geopolitical realities while maintaining commitments to peace, justice, and the dignity of all affected communities.

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