|TOP|The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has urged Christians the world over to make efforts to visit Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and to keep the town he described as ‘struggling’ in their prayers, reports ENS.

Williams made the plea in a letter presented to Dr Victor Batarseh, Mayor of Bethlehem, to mark the feast of the Epiphany.

In the letter, Williams expressed his concern for the troubled area: “I am aware of the severe hardship which many are suffering; the decline
of tourism, the difficulties of access and movement and the struggle to sustain the economic and social life of the city."

|QUOTE|He continued: "I am distressed to hear that the current situation has prompted so many families, especially Christians, to leave the city and seek security and stability elsewhere.”

The Archbishop said he had raised these concerns directly with the Israeli authorities before urging Christians across the world to play part to the stabilise the area.

“I urge Christians worldwide to support your community, to visit you whenever possible and to pray for the people of Bethlehem that they may not be forgotten," he said.

"We pray for the day when a just and lasting peace will be established in the region which will bring freedom, dignity and security to all the people of Bethlehem."

|AD|An Anglican delegation from the UK led by the Bishop Brian Castle of Tonbridge presented the letter to Batarseh in Bethlehem last Friday on the behalf of Dr Williams.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, head of the Catholic Church of England and Wales, together with other Christian leaders, made similar appeals last December for more people to visit Bethlehem as a sign of hope and solidarity with those facing the continuing difficulties in the region..

"The town of Jesus Christ’s birth is experiencing serious hardship,” said the Cardinal. “The severe loss of tourist income on which Bethlehem depends, and increasing difficulties of access to holy sites, are contributing to emigration, notably of Christian families.”

He added: “We urge Christians and all people who care for Bethlehem to visit the town and not let it be forgotten.”