THE Bishop in Cyprus & the Gulf, the Rt Revd Sean Semple, has joined the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Anglican representatives to the United Nations’ refugee agency in reiterating regional calls for peace and expressing concern for the impact of war on humanitarian needs.
“The conflict in the Middle East over the last week has drawn attention to the lands of our diocese — to Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, the UAE, and others, drawing not just the people of our diocese, but friends across the world to the altar, to intercede for peace in our region, and to pray for our diocese,” Bishop Semple said, in a video message. “We’re so very grateful, and feel strengthened by the support of the wider Anglican Communion, our fellow Christians, and all people of good will.”
President Trump said on Monday in an interview that the US-Israel led war against Iran was “very complete, pretty much”, and his Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, declared Tuesday to be “the most intense day of strikes” against Iran.
At the same time, Israel continued to bombard Lebanon, where, the UNHCR said on Tuesday, some 100,000 people had been displaced.
Bishop Semple continued: “Almost all of the churches of the diocese are in cities targeted by drone and missile attacks. Clergy and parish councils have shown true leadership in adapting quickly to meet spiritual and practical needs in dangerous and uncertain times.
“All of our parishes from Iraq to Cyprus are maintaining contact with parishioners, checking on their well-being, and providing pastoral support. At a time of crisis, ensuring people know that they are not alone and are cared for is vital work.”
In Bahrain, St Christopher’s Cathedral — part of Bishop Semple’s diocese — is attracting Christians from around the world to online prayers every evening at 6 p.m.
Christian leaders from across Abu Dhabi gathered at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cathedral there on Monday, to pray for peace, in Abu Dhabi itself, where there have been daily missile and drone attacks, and elsewhere. The ecumenical service was led by the Roman Catholic Bishop, the Most Revd Paulo Martinelli.
In the United States, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Dr Sean Rowe, led a virtual interfaith vigil for peace which 630 people joined. “United by our hope for peace and our love for God’s people who are suffering in the midst of war in the Middle East, we gather to pray for those who have died and for the vulnerable ones who are bearing the greatest share of suffering,” he said.
Also this week, in a joint statement, the World Council of Churches, the Middle East Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the World Methodist Council, the Mennonite World Conference, Christian Conference of Asia, and the ACT Alliance expressed their concern over the humanitarian and social effects of the widening conflict.
“Having endured many years of complex political, economic, and social challenges, the people of Iran — numbering more than 92 million — now face the immediate threats of the current conflict, and a very uncertain future,” their statement says. “The humanitarian risks and suffering will inevitably escalate the longer this conflict continues.”