Most Rev Cherry Van was joined by believers from the Church in Wales, as well as campaigners from Christian Aid, Tearfund, CAFOD and Embrace the Middle East on 24th September.
The gathering was a response to Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza City and ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
Archbishop Cherry said: “We are here to pray for peace. We are here to
urge the Welsh Government along with the UK government and governments
around the world, to press as hard as they can for a peaceful
resolution... War doesn’t solve anything.”
It is not the first time the Church in Wales has called on the government to do more; in July, the Bench of Bishops wrote to the then Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, who shares a Christian faith. They urged his government to “do everything in its power to bring justice to those who are suffering in this current crisis… affected by war, hunger, displacement, harassment and fear.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office responded saying the
government remains committed to pushing for peace in the region.
The Church in Wales has also joined other Christian leaders in signing
an open letter, initiated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Archbishop
Stephen Cottrell, calling for an end to violence and the release of
hostages in the Middle East.
Last Sunday, churches across Britain were encouraged to pray for peace
in their services, coinciding with UN World Peace Day and a global call
to prayer from the World Council of Churches.