Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns and other Christian groups stand with Muslims, Jews, and others in praying, demonstrating, and advocating for a ceasefire and sustainable, just peace in the Middle East.
The following article was published in the May-June 2024 issue of NewsNotes.
In the aftermath of Hamas’ unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, Israel’s response has been characterized by Palestinians, South Africans, and experts around the world as a genocide. In a complaint at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), South Africa alledged that the Israeli government engaged in action with “genocidal intent.” The ICJ’s preliminary ruling found it “plausible that Israel’s acts [in Gaza] could amount to genocide” and issued provisional measures to seek to prevent further deaths. On April 10, USAID Administrator Samantha Power told Congress that famine is occurring and likely to worsen in Gaza. The United States continues to arm Israel, however. The Biden Administration approved a recent transfer of bombs and warplanes on March 29th, Good Friday.
Throughout the conflict, faith groups have been active in calling for an end to the violence. Since October, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (MOGC) has participated in a number of Christian and interreligious coalitions calling for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and other steps toward just peace. The primary group coordinating Christian action is Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), of which MOGC is a member. MOGC has also been active in Christians for Ceasefire, an informal coalition of organizations in Washington, DC.
MOGC and other Christians for Ceasefire members participated in an Ash Wednesday Eucharist and nonviolent action in Lafayette Square in front of the White House, initiating a Lenten ceasefire campaign. An interreligious prayer vigil was held in front of the White House March 6th, with Muslim, Jewish, and Christians joining to pray and call for a ceasefire.
On March 21, twelve Christian protesters, including Susan Gunn and Dan Moriarty of MOGC, were arrested while wearing pictures of the destruction in Gaza and singing hymns of peace in the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office building. More Christian protesters were arrested at a Good Friday action in front of the Pentagon.
On February 21, MOGC co-sponsored the interreligious Pilgrimage for Peace from Philadelphia to the White House, joining Rabbis for Peace, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Black Church leaders, Buddhist, Hindus, and others on the final leg from Maryland to the White House.
On March 23, MOGC Director Susan Gunn and other CMEP members joined Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage, walking 22 miles–the distance from Gaza City to Rafah, where Israel has been threatening a ground assault–in the rain through the streets of Washington. Other pilgrimages took place across the country.
During Holy Week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joined Pope Francis in publicly calling for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
After Easter, an April 4 vigil was held in front of the White House, marking the anniversary of both Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 speech condemning the war in Vietnam, and his 1968 assassination. Five days later, after an ecumenical communion service in front of the Capitol, over 50 protesters with a group called Christians for a Free Palestine were arrested in the Senate cafeteria, urging Congress to send “bread not bombs” to Gaza.
Joining both of these prayer vigils was active-duty U.S. Airforce Senior Airman Larry Hebert, who began a hunger strike in front of the White House on April 1st, standing with a sign saying he “refuses to eat while Gaza starves.” Hebert’s protest was inspired by the self-immolation of another airman, Aaron Bushnell, in front of the Israeli Embassy in February.
Public vigils and demonstrations provide support for private meetings with White House staff and other policymakers. Sister Teresa Hougnon, MM, president of the Maryknoll Sisters, joined a CMEP meeting at the White House with Biden Administration staff urging moral courage for bolder action to end the atrocities in Gaza. CMEP has brought delegations of U.S. faith leaders to the Holy Land, and Palestinian Christian leaders to Washington to meet with policy makers.
MOGC participated in CMEP’s 40th Anniversary Advocacy Summit April 9-11 in Washington. Palestinian speakers included Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, President of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem and author of the recent Orbis Book Decolonizing Palestine, and other Palestinian Christian leaders. Participants met with various lawmakers, asking them to call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas, and Palestinians held without charge by Israel; halt military aid to Israel; increase humanitarian aid to Gaza; and pursue a lasting peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict.
Faith in Action
Sign CMEP’s Catholic letter calling for a comprehensive ceasefire and the halt of arms sales to Israel. https://mogc.info/CeasefireSignOn
Photo of Palestinians inspecting the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the El-Remal aera in Gaza City on October 9, 2023, by Palestinian News & Information Agency (Wafa) in contract with APAimages. CC BY-SA 3.0