RAMALLAH, October 12, 2025 (WAFA) - The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, chaired by Ramzi Khouri, Member of the PLO Executive Committee and Head of the Committee, delivered a formal letter to Reverend Danny Awad, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in the Holy Land, for conveyance to Reverend Philip Vinod, Secretary General of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).
The handover took place today in the Jordanian capital, Amman, in the presence of Committee member Samir Hazboun and the Committee’s Director of Public Relations and Media, Raed Hanania.
The letter conveyed the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas and his deep appreciation for the Communion’s longstanding and principled support for justice and peace. It also extended warm congratulations to Reverend Philip Vinod on his election as General Secretary, underscoring the significant global role of the Communion, which represents more than 100 million members across 109 countries.
The message further highlighted the grave, catastrophic situation in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip, which has endured a genocidal war for two consecutive years, resulting in thousands of Palestinians killed and wounded. During this period, the Israeli occupation directly targeted churches and Christian institutions. The letter called on the international community to uphold the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights to freedom, dignity, self-determination and independence.
In conclusion, the Committee invited Reverend Vinod to visit Palestine to witness firsthand the suffering of the Palestinian people and their churches. The message reaffirmed the unity of the Palestinian churches’ voice in international forums as a vital pillar in defending justice and the Palestinian cause.
It is noteworthy that the General Assembly of the World Communion of Reformed Churches will convene in Thailand the day after tomorrow, marking the 150th anniversary of its founding.
T.R.
