ICC Note:
In an effort to express his concern and solidarity with Christians who have faced extreme difficulties in recent years, newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will visit the Middle East. The Archbishop’s visit highlights the particular pressures Christians are facing as a result of the on-going violence in Syria and political turmoil throughout the region.
6/23/2013 Middle East (BBC) – The Most Reverend Justin Welby will visit Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
BBC religious affairs correspondent Robert Pigott said the trip was partly intended as support for hard-pressed Christian minorities.
Archbishop Welby said he was “deeply concerned” about the “pressures on Christian communities” in the region.
Lambeth Palace said the archbishop wanted to go to the Middle East so soon after his appointment because of the significance of the region in relationships between religions.
Officials said the archbishop was “keenly aware of the particular pressures” there at the moment and “deeply concerned for justice and for the security of all peoples of the region”.
‘Devastating conflict’
Our correspondent said the political turmoil that has followed the national revolutions of the Arab Spring and the conflict in Syria has undermined Christian communities.
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