The Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land (CRIHL) is concerned about the denial of renewal of Jerusalem Temporary Residency Status, for the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem, the Rt. Revd Suheil Dawani.
A denial of residency will effectively limit Bishop Dawani in the performance of his duties as Bishop; It threatens his ability to act for the church and to reside with his family within the boundaries of his Cathedral Church in Jerusalem, as has been possible with valid residency permits for the last 3 years.
The CRIHL, of which Bishop Dawani is a member of, regrets the current situation in which the Bishop of the Anglican Church – which is recognized by the State of Israel – is being denied the possibility to exercise his duties. The CRIHL maintains that it is the right of religious communities to elect their own leaders and that the state must recognize this right as an expression of its respect for religious freedom.
The CRIHL calls upon the authorities who have jurisdiction in this matter to find a quick and fair solution to this issue without delay.
