Bethlehem University Receives UK Church Leaders

On December the 22nd Bethlehem University received Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, Revd Rt Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, Revd David Coffey, Moderator of the Free Churches Group and Revd Nathan Hovhannisian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Great Britain. The four Church leaders’ visit to Bethlehem University was part of their Christmas pilgrimage to Bethlehem.  While at the University the guests were welcomed by Brother Daniel Casey, who spoke of the mission Bethlehem University has, the challenges its students and administration face and most importantly the hope it brings to many.  The pilgrims met in small groups with students for a discussion session.  The students shared with the guests their experience of living under occupation, their sense of resilience and their anxieties for their future.  At the end of the discussions, the guests were presented with three gifts; a stone from a demolished home, a candle from the Nativity Church and a Friends of Bethlehem University ceramic tile.  The gifts were chosen to be reminiscent of the hardships, hopes and need for solidarity the students and University wish for.  The visit ended with an ecumenical service at the Chapel of the Divine Child, with guests, faculty, staff and students praying together for peace.