The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is pleased to announce that its Third International Conference will be held on October 19,20, 2001 at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. The Conference, entitled: The Forgotten Faithful: Arab Christians Suffering in the Holy Land,
Press Release
(For immediate release)
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF)*
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is pleased to announce that its Third International Conference will be held on October 19,20, 2001 at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. The Conference, entitled: The Forgotten Faithful: Arab Christians Suffering in the Holy Land, will explore the present conflict in the Holy Land and the implications for the Palestinian Arab Christians living in the towns and villages of the Holy Land. The failure to achieve peace with justice through negotiation and the subsequent Intifada has had profound and long-term consequences for Palestinian society in general and the Christian community in particular. It is expected that the Conference will fully elucidate the impact that the initial hopeful vision for peace and ensuing disappointments has had on Palestinian Christians living in Palestine.
Experts on all aspects of the conflict in the Holy Land will share their insights with the audience. Of the thirty speakers, twenty are from the Holy Land or have recently lived or visited the area and will give first hand accounts of their observations. Of note, Charles Sennott, Boston Globe Middle East Bureau Chief and author of Body and Blood, his account of contemporary Christian society, will offer his views. Reverend Donald Wagner, author of Dying in the Land of Promise, will discuss his views on the history of Christianity in the Holy Land. Both authors will offer extensively researched commentary on the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Bishop Giacinto Marcuzzo, Bishop of Nazareth, will speak about the condition of Christian Arabs living in Israel. Rev. Mitri Rehab of the International Center in Jerusalem will review his efforts to preserve Christianity in the land of its birth. H.E. Dr. Rajai Muasher, member of the Jordanian Parliament will review his government’s relationship with the Holy Land. American educated and popular Jordanian TV commentator and journalist, Rami Khoury will give his perspective on the relationship between Jordan and Israel. Reverend Bishara Awad, President of the Bethlehem Bible College will discuss Christian Zionism. Two speakers, Professor Jad Isaac and Phil Wilcox, with extensive knowledge of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza, will describe the findings of their intensive investigations. Father Majdi Siryani and Sir Duane Burchick will discuss the ongoing persecution of Arab Christians in Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour. Journalist, former Beirut hostage and convert to Christianity, Mr. Jerry Levin will discuss his views on future developments in the Holy Land. Father Emil Salayta, former director of education for the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem will discuss challenges to maintain Arab Christian education in the Holy Land. Economic issues and job creation are the topics for Mr. Mazen Badra, Bethlehem Chamber of commerce and Mr. George Ghattas, planner for the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem. Bishop Samir Kafity, former Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem and Fr. Canon Drew Christianson will elucidate the role and responsibilities of western Christian churches towards the Arab Christians in the Holy Land.
Rateb Rabie, President of HCEF, stated that the present crisis in the Holy Land has stretched relief services to their limits. To reduce their suffering, HCEF has supported our brother’s and sisters living in Holy Land communities by giving money and materials to selected individuals and relief agencies.
The Annual HCEF Banquet will be held this year on Saturday night at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. Father Drew Christianson, SJ and Reverend Donald Wagner are the recipients of the HCEF Award. This award is given to individuals who have dedicated their lives to preserving the presence of Christians in the Holy Land. The Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and World Vision, Jerusalem are the recipients of the Living Stones Solidarity Award given to honor institutions that have made sustained and extraordinary efforts to love, support and stand in solidarity with the Christians in the Holy Land.
A limited number of tickets to the conference and banquet are available for sale. For registration or for more information contact Luma Haj at 301-871-9222 luma@hcef.org or visit our web site at www.hcef.org
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of Christians in the Holy Land by developing bonds of solidarity with Christians in the United States. HCEF, PO Box 6687, Silver Spring, MD 20906. (301) 871-9222, Fax (301) 871-2277, www.hcef.org, email: news@hcef.org
