Archbishop Shane Parker Highlights Plight of Palestinian Christians During Holy Land Visit

Archbishop Shane Parker, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, recently visited the Anglican diocese of Jerusalem from January 8 to 17. During his trip, he attended the consecration and installation of the Rev. Imad Haddad as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, which took place at the Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem.

Parker also visited several key institutions, including the Anglican-run St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus, Christ Episcopal School in Nazareth, and the Princess Basma Centre and St. George’s College in Jerusalem. He also visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. During his visit, he met with fellow Christian leaders, including Archbishop Hosam Naoum, president bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, and Patriarch Theophilos III of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem.

The Anglican Church of Canada has maintained a longstanding partnership with the Anglican diocese of Jerusalem. This relationship dates back over half a century, with the diocese becoming independent of the Church of England in 1976. The primate’s visit marked a significant moment in this enduring connection, as the primate brings the Anglican Church of Canada with them, underscoring the importance of the relationship.

The Christian community in the Holy Land is a small minority, comprising approximately two percent of the population. Many Christians in the region identify as Palestinians and are Arabs. Being an Anglican Christian in this context means being a minority within a minority. The community often finds itself caught between the state of Israel and the largely Islamic Palestinian territories.

Parker emphasized the importance of remembering that Christians still live in the land where Christ walked. These Christians face oppressive and unstable conditions, and at times, they live in dangerous environments. Some Anglican Christians in the region live in Israel with Israeli citizenship, while others reside in the West Bank. The Anglican Church also operates a hospital in Gaza, the Al-Ahli Hospital, providing essential services to the local population.

The Anglican Church runs hospitals, educational institutions, and rehabilitation centers throughout Israel and the West Bank. These efforts reflect a commitment to serving the community and supporting those in need. The presence of these institutions highlights the role of the church in addressing humanitarian needs and fostering stability in a region marked by conflict and uncertainty.

The situation in the Holy Land underscores the need for continued support and advocacy for the Christian community. As Parker noted, the church’s work in the region is not only a matter of faith but also a testament to the importance of mercy, justice, and care for the vulnerable. The biblical principle in Romans 12:18, which calls for living peaceably with all, remains relevant as the church seeks to serve and uplift those in need.

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