Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on bombing of al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza

Dear People of God in The Episcopal Church:

Early this Palm Sunday morning, we received confirmation that al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, was hit last night by Israeli missiles. The diocese and many media outlets report that the emergency department, the pharmacy, the chapel, and other essential facilities have been severely damaged, and patients are without shelter or medical care. Read more about the attack from the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

No matter how we understand the causes of violence in the Holy Land, we can surely agree that we must support our fellow Anglicans in alleviating the devastating humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Gaza.

As we begin our Holy Week journey, I ask you to:

• Pray for the staff of al-Ahli Hospital, giving thanks for their courage and sacrifice, and for its patients, who are in pain and danger without lifesaving care. The American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem offer this prayer and litany that I commend to you.

• Join me in giving generously to the Good Friday Offering, which supports the ministries of the Diocese of Jerusalem, including al-Ahli Hospital. For more than a century, Episcopalians have supported ministry in the land of Jesus with an offering on Good Friday; and especially now, the need is greater than ever.

• Write to your members of Congress, asking them to support a permanent ceasefire; a just, sustained peace in the Holy Land; and humanitarian aid for those suffering in Gaza. Find information about The Episcopal Church’s response to the crisis and resources from the Office of Government Relations on our website.

During these sacred days, as you encounter the suffering and sacrifice of our Redeemer and come again to the joy of the Resurrection, please pray for all of the people of the land where Jesus lived, died, and rose again. May God grant them a future free of violence and suffering.

Faithfully,

The Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church