Archbishop Don Tamihere and Archbishop Sione Uluilakepa have echoed the Christian leaders of Jerusalem’s call for prayer and fasting as the Anglican Communion’s northern hemisphere churches enter the early hours of a global day of prayer for peace in the Holy Land.

Archbishop Don and Archbishop Sione have issued the following call to the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia today.

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We support the call of Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, alongside the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem, to hold a global day of prayer and fasting on Tuesday 17 October in response to the breakout of war in the Holy Land.  

We know the history and politics of the region are incredibly fraught and complex, but our hearts are with the innocent Palestinian and Israeli children and families who have been killed and are suffering because of terrorism and military atrocity. 

As fellow Archbishops we wish to echo the call of Archbishop Hosam for a two-state solution in the region that will allow Palestinian and Israeli families to live together in a just and lasting peace. 

As we attend a meeting of our Diocesan and Hui Amorangi Bishops from around the Province today, we will ask those gathered and the communities they serve to join in fasting and prayer for Israel and Palestine, and for the rights of oppressed and marginalised Indigenous peoples throughout the Anglican Communion and the world.

The Most Rev’d Don Tamihere, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. 

The Most Rev’d Sione Uluilakepa, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.