Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Jerusalem Appeal
The Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough have launched an appeal to support the Diocese of Jerusalem in its efforts to deal with the impact of the current war. The Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem is home to about 7,000 Anglicans. It is also responsible for more than 30 institutions, including hospitals, schools, clinics and rehabilitation centres which welcome all people regardless of their faith or background. These include Al–Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.
Dublin & Glendalough began supporting Al–Ahli Hospital in 2014 when the people of the diocese raised over €120,000 during Advent to fund the installation of solar panels and the upgrading of on–call facilities for staff. The relationship between the two dioceses has deepened since 2016 when a formal link was established which has seen pilgrimages and joint clergy retreats taking place.
Commenting on the appeal, Archbishop Michael Jackson said: “For almost three weeks now we have watched in horror as war has raged in the Holy Land once again resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocent people both in Israel and in Gaza. Violence has also spread to other areas. But while the world has been watching, our partners in the Diocese of Jerusalem have been continuing their ministry of Christian outreach. The Anglican diocese, through its many institutions, both medical and educational, serves people from all faith backgrounds.”
An explosion at Al–Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza city on 17 October, killed and wounded hundreds of people who had sought safety in the grounds. Despite damage to the building, the hospital staff are determined to continue their work treating the ill and the injured in very difficult conditions, not to mention the threat to their own lives.
The funds raised by Dublin and Glendalough will go to support the Diocese of Jerusalem and its institutions in dealing with the fall out of the conflict in whatever way is needed.
In launching his worldwide appeal, Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem asked for three things: prayer, advocacy and financial support.
Archbishop Michael Jackson has urged the people of the dioceses and beyond to support this appeal for the Diocese of Jerusalem. He said: “The deepening situation of distress and disintegration of human life and of human dignity in Israel and Gaza deserves our response and our support. I encourage you to contribute to this appeal as generously as possible to address human need and alleviate human suffering”.
You can support the appeal by donating by electronic transfer to: Diocesan Funds of Dublin and Glendalough No 1 A/C Current Account, Bank of Ireland, 2 COLLEGE GREEN DUBLIN 2 IBAN: IE50 BOFI 9000 1769 3548 78, BIC: BOFIIE2D. Cheques may be sent to Diocesan Offices of Dublin and Glendalough, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D06 CF67.
You can find more information on the Diocese of Jerusalem here: https://j-diocese.org/wordpress
Tomorrow (Sunday) the Archbishop of Dublin will preach at Farm Street Church, London, at the invitation of Fr Dominic Robinson, SJ. and on Wednesday morning he will preside at the Primary Schools Service which will begin in Christ Church cathedral at 11am.
The grouped parishes of Sandford & St Philip’s, Milltown, will have Choral Compline, a short service of evening prayer, sung in Sandford parish church on Friday evenings in November at 6pm. All are welcome to come to this beautiful meditative service, which provides a welcome respite from the busy Friday rush–hour.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times