It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the sudden death of the Rev. Dr. Michael Prior – a wonderful friend, a priest of the church, a meticulous researcher and scholar, a stimulating lecturer and educator, a liberation theologian, a courageous intellectual, and a passionate advocate and activist for justice and peace.
“He died, but through his faith he is still speaking” (Hebrews 11:4c)
It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the sudden death of the Rev. Dr. Michael Prior – a wonderful friend, a priest of the church, a meticulous researcher and scholar, a stimulating lecturer and educator, a liberation theologian, a courageous intellectual, and a passionate
advocate and activist for justice and peace.
The news of his death reached Sabeel in the early hours of Friday morning, 23 July, 2004. From the information we received he died in his garden at home from a massive heart attack. I have tried to find more details on the circumstances of his death; unfortunately, as yet I have
not been able to do so.
Michael devoted the better part of his life in the service of justice and liberation for the Palestinians. He visited Palestine/Israel on a regular basis, sometimes for extended periods. He interacted with people from all walks of life in the course of his research and analysis. He authored and edited a number of books on a variety of topics including those that directly addressed the different aspects of the conflict over Palestine. Among those were, The Bible and Colonialism – A Moral Critique (1997) (in English and Arabic), Zionism and the State of Israel -A Moral Inquiry (1999),and Speaking the Truth about Zionism and Israel (2004). In the last two years, he also founded and edited the journal of Holy Land Studies.
Michael’s passion for justice was unflinching and unshakable. He was compelling and provocative in his writings. He sought to expose the lies and deceptions that underlie the Zionist project and that led to the conquest of Palestine. He also showed how the Bible has been abused by colonial powers to oppress others. Although he has left us and we
mourn his loss, he is still “speaking” through his books, lectures, and various publications. His voice will continue to be heard in many places throughout the world. His strong prophetic message will reverberate until justice for the Palestinians is done and peace and reconciliation are achieved in the Holy Land for all of its people.
We give thanks to God for the life and witness of our brother and friend Michael Prior and we commend him to the love and mercy of God.
Naim Ateek
Director, Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center
23 July, 2004
