14 January 2024

PUBLIC STATEMENT – GAZA - Need for lasting ceasefire and end to ongoing suffering.

The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) continues to have high levels of disquiet and sadness about the situation being faced by the people of Gaza and longs for lasting peace with justice for them. 

The lack of autonomy and limited resources for daily living in Gaza during these harsh winter months is causing great suffering. The NCCA hopes that the peace initiatives being pursued at the moment will result in a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

“We welcome the peace initiatives that are being taken at the current time and offer prayerful support for all the parties trying to broker a lasting peace for Gaza” says Rev John Gilmore, NCCA President.

“We join with the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem who in their Christmas Message 2024 appealed for the release of all prisoners and captives, the return of the homeless and displaced, the treatment of the sick and wounded, the relief of those who hunger and thirst, the restoration of unjustly seized or threatened properties, and the rebuilding of all public and private civilian structures that have been damaged or destroyed” says Rev Gilmore. 

The Church leaders in Jerusalem also asked Christians and people of goodwill to pray and work for peace with justice in all places of conflict and strife in the world.

Rev Gilmore adds that the NCCA expresses its ongoing sadness about the recent attacks on synagogues in Sydney and previously in Melbourne. The impact of these violent actions is affecting communal relations in Australia.  

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Contact: NCCA Secretariat, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Tel. 02 9299 2215