The regional Lutheran Bishop B. Penrose Hoover has decided not to travel to the Middle East this week as planned because of the unrest and fighting in Gaza.
Hoover, who heads the Lower Susquehanna Synod, and his wife were supposed to go with 58 other bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and five Canadian bishops Jan. 6-13 to meet with religious, community and political leaders in the region.
"Given the military and political situation in the region, personal safety and security is, of course, a large concern. But it is not my major concern. It seems to me that the stated purpose of the trip can better be accomplished if the journey is postponed," wrote Hoover, who lives in Fairview Township.
Read more of Hoover's pastoral letter about the cancellation at the jump.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Dear Co-laborers with Christ,
As many of you already know, Sharon and I, after much prayer, deliberation, consultation, and sleepless nights, have decided not to travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories of East Jerusalem and the West Bank with other members of the Conference of Bishops at this time. This has been a difficult and heart-wrenching decision, but we feel that it is the right choice at this time.
It is my belief that, under the present circumstances, the stated purpose of the trip has been compromised. An ELCA news release states that this visit "...is intended to show support for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), led by its bishop, the Rev. Munib A. Younan, and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The bishops (visiting from the ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) also want to learn more about the complexities in the region, and to promote just and peaceful solutions to the conflict. 'This is a tragic yet opportune time for North American Lutherans to visit their partners in Palestine,' said Younan, also an LWF vice president, in a news release. 'They will have a unique opportunity to witness the challenges of living in this disputed land.'" The stated purpose is worthy and important. Still, I believe that heightened security and travel restrictions will result in the disintegration of our original agenda which was to learn about the ongoing struggle of Christians in the Middle East and to accompany our brothers and sisters in the ELCJHL. I see little or no opportunity for substantive discussions with pre-occupied political leaders, and I fear that our movement throughout the region will be greatly restricted.
Given the military and political situation in the region, personal safety and security is, of course, a large concern. But it is not my major concern. It seems to me that the stated purpose of the trip can better be accomplished if the journey is postponed.
About ninety bishops, spouses, staff, and others (approximately half of our original number) are proceeding with the trip as scheduled. It is their view that there is no better time to accompany our sister church than in a time of crisis. This is a compelling argument and a large part of what made my decision so difficult. Still, I am concerned that our presence at this time will be open to a great deal of misunderstanding. I suspect that persons on all sides will attempt to use our trip for their own purposes. I frankly believe that the struggles facing the Middle East are too critical to allow myself and this office to be used in that process.
I deeply hope and pray that there will be another opportunity to make such a visit to come to know and accompany our sisters and brothers who continually live out the via dolorosa. In the meantime, please join with me in prayer for our colleagues who are making the visit, for our fellow Christians in the Holy Land, for all in harm's way and who are pressed by the suffering of war and oppression, and for the dawn of understanding that might lead to justice and peace.
Faithfully, your bishop,
+B. Penrose Hoover
Leave a comment