Title: Jerusalem Lutheran Congregation Joins Protest
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 24, 1999

JERUSALEM LUTHERAN CONGREGATION JOINS PROTEST
99-298-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- An English-speaking Lutheran congregation in
Jerusalem joined with most other Christian churches there and closed its
doors Nov. 22-23, in protest of the Israeli government's decision to
allow construction of a mosque on a half-acre plot of land outside the
Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth.  The Basilica is built where
some Christians say the Angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to
Jesus.
     The Christian churches' protest resulted from Israel's decision to
allow construction of the mosque on a portion of land where the
municipality had planned a plaza in expectation of a number of pilgrims
during the millennial year.
    Despite the protest, the cornerstone for the mosque was laid this
week.  Construction will not commence until after the millenial year.
    Israel's decision to allow construction of the mosque came despite
"numerous and repeated interventions" by different religious and secular
groups, said a Nov. 4 letter signed by several Christian patriarchs in
Jerusalem. The patriarchs also said they view the decision "with grave
concern" and see it "as a clear discrimination against the Christian
community in Galilee."  The letter was signed by Theodorus I, Greek
Orthodox patriarch; Michel Sabbah, Latin patriarch; Giovanni Battistelli, 
custos of the Holy Land; and Torkem Manoogian, Armenian patriarch.
    The English-speaking congregation of The Lutheran Church of the
Redeemer, Jerusalem, was not eager to close its church, but decided to
do so when the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (ELCJ) decided to
close its six congregations, said the Rev. Michael P. Thomas.  Thomas
and his wife, the Rev. Susan P. Thomas, are pastors of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), who serve the congregation through
the ELCA Division for Global Mission.
   The congregation discussed the matter at its annual meeting Nov.
21 and at a special church council meeting Nov. 22.  Redeemer's English-
speaking congregation consists of about 80 members, and they are often
joined by groups of Christians visiting the Holy Land from the United
States.
   "For us it was really a question of being in solidarity with
Palestinian Lutherans," Michael Thomas said.  "The Christian quarter of
the Old City (of Jerusalem) was virtually empty of tourists Nov. 22 and
23."
   The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is also home to three other
Lutheran congregations. They are Arabic-speaking (ELCJ), German-speaking
(EKD) and Danish-speaking (Danish Mission of the Danish Lutheran Church)
congregations.  They, too, decided to close, Michael Thomas said.
   The Thomases posted a letter on the doors to the Redeemer
sanctuary, explaining the congregation's action.
   "This action is taken with our companion congregations in this
building to express our heavy hearts over the process by which the
Israeli government decided to allow the building of a mosque to commence
on the plaza adjacent to the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth,"
they said.
   "We regret deeply that an opportunity for interfaith understanding
has become a point of tension," the letter continued. "Our joining with
local Christian churches in closing our church on these days is not to
be interpreted as an anti-Muslim action, but of solidarity with our
Palestinian Lutheran sisters and brothers."
   "We pray for God's reconciling presence in this unhappy
situation," the letter concluded.
   Almost all churches were closed, including Orthodox and Roman
Catholic churches, Michael Thomas said.  Among the Christian shrines
closed were the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, known as the
birthplace of Jesus; Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem, said to be
the tomb of Jesus and the Church of the Annunication.
   The Christian leaders in the region emphasized their displeasure
was not with Muslims, but with the government of Israel's decision, news
reports said.  Christian leaders closed their churches despite a plea
from the Palestinian Authority that churches in the West Bank remain
open.

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