On the first day of her pilgrimage through the Holy Land with Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Archbishop of Canterbury assured Palestinian Christians working in health and social care of her prayers and support for their work.
Archbishop Sarah visited healthcare institutions and social projects run by the Episcopal (Anglican) Diocese of Jerusalem and other Christian organisations to hear about their work and the many challenges they are facing.
Joined by Archbishop Hosam throughout the day, this morning Archbishop Sarah visited the Princess Basma Centre, an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem that has been providing integrated support and care to Palestinian children with disabilities since 1964. She met with the staff, parents, children, and heard from the Centre’s Director, Violette Mubarak, about their plans for the future, particularly around their innovative rehabilitation work in Gaza and the West Bank.
During the visit, Archbishop Sarah and Archbishop Hosam made a video call to the Princess Basma team at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which is run by the Diocese of Jerusalem. They heard about the courageous work that the team have been doing to care for children wounded and traumatised by the war in Gaza, working under immensely difficult conditions.
At the nearby Augusta Victoria Hospital, Archbishop Sarah heard from staff about their wide-ranging services and about the challenges facing the entire Palestinian healthcare system.
This afternoon, Archbishop Sarah visited the East Jerusalem YMCA, where she met with Palestinian children from marginalised communities and witnessed the YMCA’s work supporting them through trauma. She also heard powerful testimony from a 25-year-old woman who was a child detainee in Israeli administrative detention.
Reflecting on the day, Archbishop Sarah said: “Today we have heard stories of the immense hardships facing Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. But we have also seen how Palestinian Christians are offering healing, hope and care.
“Witnessing the Princess Basma Centre’s pioneering work with children was to see Christ’s healing presence and ministry made real in a suffering and broken world. It was very good to see the wide-ranging and vital work of the Augusta Victoria Hospital, and learn more about the challenges facing the entire Palestinian healthcare system across Gaza and the West Bank. I also give thanks to God for the support the East Jerusalem YMCA is providing to marginalised and traumatised young people.
“Please join me in praying for all these courageous health and social workers who bring healing to the sick and comfort to those in distress. So much of Christ’s ministry in this land was given over to health and healing, and that ministry continues through Palestinian Christians today.”
