VANCOUVER, B.C. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a resolution "vigorously" protesting the Israeli military's occupation of a Lutheran school in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. The bishops' resolution also deplored "all acts of violence against innocent civilians."
The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body to the church. Its members are the church's 65 synod bishops, ELCA presiding bishop and ELCA secretary. The conference met here March 7-12 at the invitation of the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
The resolution was in response to the military occupation of the Dar al-Kalima Model School, which is located on a hilltop in Bethlehem. Israeli forces occupied the school March 9, withdrew and returned March 11. Some damage to the property was reported, and soldiers took up positions on the roof of the school, said the Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, and founder of Dar al-Kalima.
No injuries or deaths have been reported as a result of the occupation. No students or staff were at the school at the time of either occupation since Lutheran schools in Bethlehem have suspended classes because of heightened violence, said the Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine) (ELCJ).
Younan denounced the military occupation of the school.
Viola Raheb, ELCJ director for schools, and Dr. Nuha Khoury, Dar al-Kalima coordinator, issued a March 12 news release, stating Israeli troops had again withdrawn from the school. The release said Younan, the school's headmaster and guard did a hurried survey of the school property. "The three of them were met by scenes of damage greater than was originally anticipated," it said.
The release included a list of damages to the school. It said seven windows were broken and ironwork protecting one was bulldozed, eight iron doors were shot open and destroyed, and "a tank hit the northeast corner of the school's building." The damage "can only be described as an act of pure vandalism," said the release.
"The wooden cross at the entrance of the school was taken down and destroyed as well as the ceramic cross," said the release. The ceramic cross was a gift from the Rev. Robert A. Rimbo, bishop of the ELCA's Southeast Michigan Synod, who presented it to school when he visited Bethlehem on a fact-finding tour in November.
"We cannot remain silent while our brothers and sisters of the ELCJ continue to suffer as innocent victims of the violence in the Middle East," the ELCA bishops' resolution said. "We are especially shocked by the recent attack and occupation of the school by Israeli military forces. This harassment of an institution of faith and learning is unacceptable and will only contribute to further erosion of the hope for peace."
"We appeal to President George W. Bush to take immediate action to seek a cessation of violence in the Middle East and to protect the lives and property of all those who are suffering from unjust attacks," the resolution concluded.
The primary author of the resolution was the Rev. Margaret G. Payne, bishop of the ELCA New England Synod, which shares a "companion synod" relationship with the ELCJ. The United Nations and U.S. government must be involved more actively to halt the violence in the Middle East, she said during the bishops' discussions on the issue.
Dar al-Kalima Model School is housed in a new building. The ELCA provided a $150,000 gift to meet the costs of building the new facility. The Rev. H. George Anderson, former ELCA presiding bishop, participated in its groundbreaking in 1998. Currently, the school has about 240 students. -- -- --
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine) maintains information at http://www.holyland-lutherans.org/ on the Web. Further information is available at http://www.annadwa.org/ on the Web site of the International Center of Bethlehem.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
