Rev Dr Grant Barclay, the clerk to the Presbytery of Glasgow, recently spoke at the General Assembly about the importance of Christians standing together to call for peace in the Middle East. He shared his experience of standing alongside Christians from different denominations and listening to Father Gabriel Romanelli, a Catholic priest from Gaza, who described the region as “almost a hell but Jesus is there.”
Father Gabriel Romanelli, the spiritual leader of Holy Family Parish congregation in Gaza, called for a ceasefire to restart dialogue between all parties and end the suffering in the troubled region. Dr. Barclay commended the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Justice and Peace Scotland, SCIAF, the Secretary of Glasgow Churches Together, and the Ecumenical Officer of the Church of Scotland for hosting Father Gabriel Romanelli and supporting his message of peace.
During his speech, Dr. Barclay emphasized the importance of clarity and faith in addressing the challenges faced by the people of Gaza. He highlighted the compassion and grace with which Father Gabriel spoke about the suffering in the region, including the loss of lives and the impact of ongoing conflicts.
Despite denominational differences, Dr. Barclay noted that the call for peace brought Christians together in shared concern and prayer. He praised the ecumenical ties in Glasgow that allowed people from all denominations to stand together and support the efforts for peace in the Middle East.
The Church of Scotland’s commitment to ecumenical partnerships was also highlighted during the General Assembly. Rev Ross Blackman, convener of the Ecumenical Relations Committee, emphasized the importance of working together with other denominations to build the kingdom of God and promote peace.
Mr. Blackman announced the development of a new Scottish Christian Forum, aimed at fostering collaboration and inclusivity among different Christian groups. He also mentioned ongoing efforts in the Joint Commission on Doctrine and the St Margaret Declaration, which are paving the way for future partnerships and declarations of unity.
Overall, the message from the General Assembly was clear – Christians must come together, regardless of denominational differences, to advocate for peace and justice in the Middle East. The call for unity and collaboration in the face of adversity resonated with attendees, inspiring hope for a brighter future in the region.