In their Easter message the leaders of Christian churches in the Holy Land speak of developments in Arab countries, and call for "a modern civil society in which freedom of expression, freedom of religion and human rights, including rights of those who are considered a minority are respected. " Peace, they say, "can not be purchased at the price of silence and submission to corruption and injustice."

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - The reforms in Muslim countries would lead to " would lead to modern civil society where freedom of expression, freedom of religion, human rights – including the rights of those who are considered being a minority in numbers – are respected". This is what the heads of Christian churches in the Holy Land ask in their Easter message, which is particularly concerned with the situation in the Holy Land, asking that we “pray for reconciliation among people in the Holy Land, where the deteriorating situation makes peace and justice seem further away than ever before".

Christians find that their joy is safe in the promise of eternal life, write the patriarchs and heads of churches, but in Jerusalem, "the city of redemption, see the suffering of our Christian brothers and sisters in Egypt, Iraq and elsewhere in our region our joy becomes more solemn. We find sadness competes with the joy of Easter as we witness the violence which has erupted in the face of peaceful demonstrations by people throughout the Arab world these past months”.

Christians in the Holy Land " observe in prayer the developments in the Middle East," and pray that the reforms will lead to the creation of modern civil society with respect for human rights and religious freedom, and minorities. "We call upon all people of faith and good will to pursue peace while at the same time we recognize that peace cannot be bought at the price of silence and submission to corruption and injustice."

The violence, when it erupts, they write in their message, " reminds us that the cross of Christ is ever present for the faithful followers of the Prince of Peace " And in particular, with regard to the Holy Land, the Heads of Churches have a message to Christians around the world: " We ask the Churches around the world to stand with us in giving voice to those who are silenced, in breaking down walls that separate us from one another and in building bridges of goodwill between people".

A special prayer is addressed to the Heads of State and leaders of the revolts for reform: "to use wisdom and their best judgment to serve the needs of their people and to promote peaceful solutions to change for a better future for all of God's children. Our Lord died for the sins of the whole world that all people will see in his example how violence only leads to death and destruction. In his resurrection we experience his victory over violence and death and we embrace a vision of the future in which all people live together in harmony". "This vision – they write in conclusion - gives us hope to renew our faith in the face of despair. Christians all over the world celebrate the victory over death which is ours as a gift from God who has compassion and mercy for all of his creation. We share our joy in the resurrection with you. The cross is ever before us day by day and the cross is empty".

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