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The Commission discussed the present situation of Christians in the
Middle East and heard reports on the difficulties facing churches, particularly
in Syria and Iraq, and the situation of refugees in Lebanon. There was a
consideration of the most practical ways in which the Anglican Communion in
its various countries could respond effectively to the challenges facing
Christians in the Middle East.
Members of the Commission continue to pray for the Middle East, for
the victims of war, for refugees, and for all hostages. We also continue to pray
for our fellow Christians, and especially the two bishops of Aleppo abducted in
April 2013: Metropolitan Mor Gregorios
Youhanna Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and Metropolitan
Boulos Yazigi of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.
The Commission visited a number of religious sites reflecting some of
the spiritual diversity of Lebanon, including the Armenian Genocide Orphans’
‘Aram Bezikian’ Museum. The Commission also recognised that the
International Day for Religious Freedom was marked during its meeting, and
so prayed for all, Christians and others alike, deprived of the right to hold and
practice their faith openly.
Mindful of the global context of migrants and refugees, particularly in
the local context of Lebanon, where a third of the population are refugees from
Palestine, Syria and Iraq, and the dismantling of the migrant community at
Calais during this week, the present Agreed Statement finished with the
following words:
‘In a world of enforced displacement and fearful arrival; in a world of
accelerated movement; in a world of war-torn fragmentation and courageous
martyrdom; the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, transcends time and space and yet
inhabits both. The same Spirit is sent to commission and empower the weak to
be strong, the humble to be courageous and the poor to be comforted and
blessed in a fallen world that is upheld by the providence and grace of God the
Trinity who makes all things new in faith and hope and love.’
The sixth meeting of the Commission will take place, God willing, in
Dublin, Republic of Ireland, from the 23rd to 28th October 2017, hosted by the
Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin, a member of the
Commission.
At the conclusion of its meeting, the Commission thanked the Triune
God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for the mutual understanding, joy, and
friendship that was experienced and shared, and looks forward to continuing
its work.

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