Al-Liqa’ Center for Religious and Heritage Studies in the Holy Land

 Theology and the Local Church in the Holy Land Conference
 (Palestinian Contextualized Theology Conference)
16^th Session

 Which Theological Thought for which Future
16-18 January 2009

 Bethlehem Hotel - Bethlehem
Final Communiqué

Al-Liqa' Center for Heritage and Religious Studies in the Holy Land held the 16^th Session of the Palestinian Contextualized Theology Conference, 16-18 January 2009 in the Bethlehem Hotel, Bethlehem. Leading religious personalities like H. B. Fuad Twal, Patriarch of the Latin Church in Jerusalem, H. B. Michael Sabbah, former Patriarch, Archbishop Elias Chaccour Head of the Melkite Catholic Church, Bishop Mar Swerios Malki Murad of the Syrian Orthodox Church and Bishop Suheil Diwani of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem, and other leading clerics and lay people from all walks of life attended this Christian Palestinian gathering.

Participants in the conference Condemned in a unanimous gesture Israel inhuman and savage practices in the beloved Gaza Strip. Israeli military killed innocent children, carried scorched earth campaigns against everything… mosques, churches, hospitals, schools, nurseries.

Participants blessed the Steadfastness of our people on their soil while at the same time demanding amiols this horror the quests of all Palestinians for justice and peace.

Participants thanked people throughout the world who expressed solidarity with Palestinians and who demanded from their government to step in to stop this mad aggression by the Israeli occupying forces.

Participants demanded Israeli immediate Withdrawal from all Palestinian territories: Arab Jerusalem, West Bank and The Gaza Strip as well as the opening of all crossing points to the Gaza Strip.

Participants stressed the need for national unity as being the best tool in facing challenges and schemes against Christian and Muslim presence in this Holy Land.

Participants discussed several theological issues and concluded that there is a dire need for a local theology that fulfills the need of the faithful. Clerics and lay people attending the conference stressed the importance of our steadfastness on our holy land despite the very difficult situation and the need for Christians to participate fully with their Palestinian people. Together they will make the future, liberate the land and establish a Palestinian state with Arab Jerusalem as its capital.