Episcopal Press and News
Bishop Allin Calls For Prayers for Peace in Middle East
Episcopal News Service. December 20, 1977 [77417]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, has called on all Episcopalians to "pray for peace in the Middle East" at Christmas services this year.
His invitation to prayer came following the announcement on Dec. 19 that Prime Minister Menahem Begin of Israel and President Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt will meet on Christmas Day to discuss Mr. Begin's peace plans and maps. The Israeli official will also brief President Sadat on his talks with President Carter in Washington.
Bishop Allin's statement said that the announcement of this meeting between "Prime Minister Begin, the Jew, and President Sadat, the Muslim" testifies that "our Christian prayers are all the more relevant and needed on the birth date of the Prince of Peace."
The talks between the Middle Eastern and African leaders will take place in Ismailia, on the Suez Canal, where President Sadat has a residence. It will not involve a state visit or an address to the Egyptian National Assembly. When President Sadat visited Jerusalem in November he addressed the Parliament.
Bishop Allin expressed the hope that the prayers for peace in the Middle East will continue through the months ahead when it is expected that negotiations will proceed.
Bishop Allin said that several dioceses and bishops of the Episcopal Church -- including Southern Virginia and its bishop, the Rt. Rev. David S. Rose -- were also issuing such an appeal.
The text of his statement addressed to the clergy of the Church is: "This is to ask you and your people to pray for peace in the Middle East at your Christmas services. With the announcement of the meeting of Prime Minister Begin, the Jew, and President Sadat, the Muslim, on Christmas Day in Cairo, our Christian prayers are all the more relevant and needed on the birth date of the Prince of Peace. God be with you."