Church leaders to visit Holy Land

The leaders of Ireland’s four main churches will bring a message of peace to the Holy Land today.

Roman Catholic Primate Cardinal Sean Brady, President of the Methodist Church the Rev Roy Cooper, Presbyterian Moderator Dr John Finlay, and Church of Ireland Primate Archbishop Alan Harper will also offer Christian hope in a situation where continuing hostilities are causing increased hardship for ordinary people.

The senior clerics' visit will focus mainly on Bethlehem and Jerusalem, where they will meet local church leaders and representatives from the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government.

Before returning home on Friday, the leaders will also see at first hand the relief and development work which is being undertaken by partners of Christian Aid and Trocaire.

They plan to take part in a joint service with local Christians at the Shepherds’ Field near Bethlehem on the theme of Keeping Watch: A Service Of Hope For Peace and visit the Holocaust Memorial at Yad Vashem.