The Melbourne Anglican news is reporting that Bishop Suheil Dawani, bishop of Jerusalem will attend the meeting he tried to block from happening in the Diocese of Jerusalem.
“It’s happening, they are coming,” said Bishop Suheil Dawani during a visit to Australia in February. “I will be there. I cannot ignore such a gathering. But I’ll give them our message of unity, of how the church must also be united, and of the importance of our ministry in Jerusalem and all over the world.”
Bishop Dawani told TMA that he is nervous about the impact of such a controversial conference in an area which is already beset by violent disputes and hardship. The Diocese of Jerusalem, made up of twenty-nine parishes, covers five countries – Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine, all of which are familiar with division and hostility. Thirty-four institutions of the Anglican Church provide vital health care, education, aged care and disability care to the region, as well as care and hope to people who are traumatised by the uncertainty and violence around them, particularly in Palestine.
Read it all here.
Organizers of GAFCON did not consult with Dawani about the conference and he has expressed concerns about the locale sent learning about it. Organizers recently “rearranged” the conference so a portion is in Jordan and the remainder in Jerusalem.
The Canberra Times provides additional background.