Archbishop Welby, apologetic, reverses decision not to meet Palestinian pastor from Bethlehem

Mar 1, 2024 by Jill

by Madeleine Davies, Church Times:

THE Archbishop of Canterbury has apologised to a Palestinian pastor, the Revd Dr Munther Isaac, for refusing to meet him earlier this month.

Dr Isaac is the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, in Bethlehem, and has been one of the most prominent Palestinian Christian voices calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war (News, 30 November 2023). He has referred to the war as a genocide, and Israel as a coloniser guilty of apartheid.

The Archbishop’s decision was described as “appalling” by members of Christians for Palestine — UK in a letter in tomorrow’s Church Times, which went to press on Wednesday evening. “Dr Isaac speaks prophetically, with moral authority and clarity. In contrast, the Church of England’s position on Gaza has been equivocal and misguided,” it says.

On social media on Thursday morning, Archbishop Welby wrote: “Recently I declined to meet with Rev Dr Munther Isaac during his UK visit. I apologise for and deeply regret this decision, and the hurt, anger, and confusion it caused. I was wrong not to meet with my brother in Christ from the Holy Land, especially at this time of profound suffering for our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters. I look forward to speaking and praying with him next week.”

In a reply, Dr Isaac wrote: “Thank you Archbishop Justin Welby. I welcome this statement, and I look forward to meeting next week as brothers in Christ.”

Read here