Press Release: 10 April 2008

A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS

CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

BibleLands, the leading U.K non-governmental provider of financial support to the Holy Land, will be hosting an evening conference at Lambeth Palace next Wednesday (16 April). 

President of BibleLands, Hugh Boulter, said, ‘BibleLands has been engaged with the issues faced by Christians in the Middle East since 1854 and we believe our experience and expertise provide a valuable framework within which to address the current situation.

‘We believe it is vital for these issues to move from the periphery of the UK church agenda and to receive a fuller understanding within the wider Christian community. Therefore we are delighted that Archbishop Rowan Williams has invited BibleLands to host the event and are looking forward to input from Archbishop Paul Sayah (Maronite Archbishop of Haifa and the Holy Land) and Bishop Angaelos (General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK)’.   

A question and answer session will be chaired by Lord David Steel. The panel includes Daniel Burton (Chairman of BibleLands) Pastor Gendi (head of El Saray Church in Alexandria, Dr Harry Hagopian (consultant to Catholic Bishops Conference) and Revd Dr Shafiq Abou Zayd (Melkite priest and Orthodox academic. Several non-governmental organisations including World Vision, Friends of Sabeel UK and Pax Christi will also be attending. 

For further information and comment contact

Emma Boucher

Press and PR Officer

01494 897910

emma.boucher@biblelands.org.uk 

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

BibleLands is the largest non-governmental provider of support to the Holy Land and has been working in the region since 1854. 

BibleLands is a Christian agency working in partnership with over 50 project partners in the lands of the Bible, primarily Israel and Palestine, Egypt and Lebanon.  BibleLands seeks to enable and resource local Christians to respond strategically and effectively to the changing needs of the region and its people through education, health and community development.