Bishop Younan at Yale: ‘Let us work together with God’s help to create that new dawn’

By Laura Olsen

Editor’s Note: Laura Olsen is a first year student at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn., preparing for her Master of Divinity degree. She is a candidate for ordination through the Virginia Synod. A second career student, she recently completed a career as an officer in the United States Air Force.

On Jan. 22, 2007, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Munib Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) visited Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn. Introducing himself as “an Arab Palestinian Evangelical Lutheran Christian,” he spoke to an audience of approximately 75 students, faculty and interested citizens, including many clergy and members of the New England Synod, ELCA. In his address entitled, The Future of Palestinian Christianity and Prospects for Justice, Peace and Reconciliation, Bishop Younan discussed the current situation in the Holy Land, the role of Palestinian Christians in peacemaking, and the future status of Jerusalem.

According to a recent study, Palestinian Christians currently comprise less than two percent of the population in the West Bank and less than one-quarter percent in the Gaza Strip, down from five percent in the West Bank and one percent in the Gaza Strip as of 1967. The study found that “one factor remains the most detrimental to the continued existence of the indigenous people. The factor is the political situation manifested in the occupation and the loss of hope in a just peace.”

Bishop Younan expressed concern that present emigration trends could mean the local Christian community in Palestine may no longer exist within 15-20 years. The situation is worsening. He pointed to continued land confiscation, expanding illegal settlements, destruction of Palestinian homes, denied building permits, the negative impact of the separation wall, Qassam rockets, the boycott on international aid, and drastic cuts in health care as factors. Specific actions needed to address emigration include supporting community-based education through Christian organizations, creating jobs, providing housing and strengthening Christian social institutions that serve without discrimination. 

Despite the severe challenges facing Palestinian Christians, Bishop Younan believes they have a particularly important role to play as bridge-builders toward a just peace as “ministers of reconciliation, brokers of justice, defenders of human rights, instruments of peace and prophets to speak truth to power.” Palestinian Christians and Muslims share the same language, culture, land, destiny and future. Bishop Younan describes schools they have established where Muslim and Christian children learn together. “We are teaching our children” he said, “how to live together without walls, fences or barriers, without occupation or violence.” Educational goals include to: mold Palestinian Christian identity within a secular, multi-religious, multi-cultural society; teach co-existence with Islam and Judaism; teach and practice democracy, enhance peace education and promote the role of women.

Not only do Palestinians work to deepen relationships with Muslims, they work to deepen relationships with the Jewish people as well. At the leadership level this is pursued through the still forming Council on Religious Leadership in the Holy Land. This group consists of the 13 heads of local churches, the Chief Rabbinate and the Chief Judge of the Islamic Court. Among their chief concerns is to: jointly speak out against desecration of any religion’s holy place, scripture, or symbol; combat ignorance of religions and increase awareness; explore possible solutions to the core problems between Israelis and Palestinians; work jointly on social and ethical issues; and serve as a reference group for negotiators about religious issues. Already they have had several opportunities to address real issues together.

One of the most important issues of all three faiths concerns the future of Jerusalem. The Holy City, he said, must be shared by all three faiths – Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and two peoples – Israelis and Palestinians. The city must become the capital of both Israel and the future state of Palestine. This can only be possible with a shared vision of the future that allows each to have its own identity and access to its Holy Places and symbols.

Recently the heads of churches released a statement concerning the elements that must be present for a lasting peace in Jerusalem. They are:
► Freedom of worship and conscience for individuals and religious communities.
► Equality of city’s inhabitance before the law according to international resolutions
► Free access to Jerusalem for all citizens, residents, or pilgrims at all times
► Historical rights of property ownership, custody, and worship be retained
► Keep Christian holy place united in geography whatever the solution

Bishop Younan passionately concluded by saying, “Let us work together with God’s help to create that new dawn.”