Primate calls for end to violence in Gaza

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, added his voice to the calls from many other leaders of churches and nations for “an immediate cessation to the horrific violence” in Gaza and the resumption of diplomatic negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

“It is with a great deal of sadness and alarm that the world has observed, over the past 10 days, an appalling escalation of violence in Gaza,” he said, noting that news reports say many of those killed have been civilians, including women and children.

Archbishop Hiltz said he was issuing his statement “in the name of him whose birth the church is celebrating in this holy season of Christmas and Epiphany, Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.” The primate called on Anglicans across Canada to pray for both Palestinians and Israelis and to pray for peace in the world.