<\/p>\n
Christian Churches Together in the USA: <\/span><\/strong> We write to you as leaders of Christian Churches Together in the USA. During the last three weeks of political unrest in Egypt, we have witnessed with great concern the escalation of violence. Hundreds of lives have been lost because of this violence. As followers of the Prince of Peace, we mourn from afar the lost of lives and pray that peace be restored.<\/p>\n In a more particular way, we are concerned for the ways in which this violence has affected the very lives of Christians in Egypt. Different news sources have reported how Christians have been the object of targeted violence because of their faith. These same sources have also reported how in many instances people of other faiths (particularly Islam) have risked their own lives to protect their Christian neighbors. We give thanks to God for those who have risked their lives to offer protection. We lament the violence against our brothers and sisters in Egypt.<\/p>\n We raise to our God the following prayer from the Coptic tradition:<\/p>\n “Make us all worthy, O our Master, to partake, of your holies unto the purification of our souls, our bodies and our spirits. That we may become one body and one spirit, and may have a share and an inheritance with all the saints who have pleased you since the beginning. Remember, O Lord, the peace of your one, only, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.”<\/p>\n We make an appeal to the U.S. government and other world political powers to actively seek, together with the people of Egypt, a prompt solution to this political crisis. But even more, we appeal to all Christians and people of good will to unite in prayer for the safety of followers of Christ and for peace in Egypt.<\/p>\n Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy!<\/p>\n Respectfully yours, A release from the World Council of Churches: <\/span><\/strong> The World Council of Churches (WCC) Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit has expressed support for the interfaith calls to action for peace and security in Egypt. He encouraged religious leaders to work together to call for protection and to promote the sanctity of human lives and religious places.<\/p>\n Tveit appreciated a recent statement issued by Bayt al-\u2018a\u2019ila al-misriyya (the Egyptian Family Home) which appealed for the \u201csecurity measures to protect the churches, the mosques, the national and the religious institutions, as well as the sacred places.\u201d<\/p>\n The Egyptian Family Home, an initiative of the Christian and Muslim leaders in Egypt, created in 2011, collaborates with WCC member churches in Egypt, including the Coptic Orthodox Church.<\/p>\n \u201cTerrorism does not take into account the sanctity of religion,\u201d notes the statement, issued on Aug. 15.<\/p>\n The Egyptian Family Home also encouraged \u201cefforts exerted by the civilians either Muslims or Christians who are defending the churches in this crucial period, setting a sincere example of the Egyptian patriotism against the sectarian divisions and terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n Echoing the concerns raised in the statement, Tveit emphasized that \u201cthe future of Egypt with justice and peace is only possible through the commitment of all Egyptians.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProtection of all human life and sacred sites is a common responsibility of both Christians and Muslims. The WCC supports and stands in solidarity with the call for joint action and efforts for reconciliation and security by the religious leaders in Egypt,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n In recent events following the Aug. 14 demonstrations, hundreds of people have been in killed, while several churches and mosques were burnt down in Cairo and around.<\/p>\n Statement from the Egyptian Family Home: www.oikoumene.org\/en\/resources\/documents\/other-ecumenical-bodies\/the-egyptian-family-home-statement\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cA Pastoral Letter to All Christians and People of Good Will\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/10\/christian-churches-together.jpg\")
Grace and peace be to you, in the name of our Lord and Savior!<\/p>\n
\nRev. Stephen Thurston, Moderator, President of the Historic Black Family, National Baptist Convention, USA<\/em>
\nBishop Denis Madden, President of the Catholic Family, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore<\/em>
\nArchbishop Vicken Aykazian, President of the Orthodox Family, Armenian Orthodox Church America<\/em>
\nRev. Gary Walter, President of the Evangelical\/Pentecostal Family, Evangelical Covenant Church<\/em>
\nMs. Wendy McFadden, President of the Historic Protestant Family, Church of the Brethren <\/em>
\nRev. Carlos L. Malav\u00e9, Executive Director of CCT<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cSupporting interfaith calls for peace in Egypt\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
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Statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem: <\/strong><\/span>