The Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster are among church leaders calling on parishes and congregations throughout England and Wales to pray for the "little town of Bethlehem" as the final week of Advent approaches.

|PIC1|The call from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Free Churches Moderator, the Rev David Coffey, and the Primate of the Armenian Church of Great Britain Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian comes ahead of a major ecumenical pilgrimage to the birthplace of Jesus just before Christmas.

The leaders hope that the pilgrimage will send a clear message of solidarity to the Christian communities of the Holy Land from the Christian community of Britain.

At a time of continuing unrest in Bethlehem, the Church leaders will be hoping that those communities know they are not forgotten and that their witness over two millennia, often in demanding circumstances, is acknowledged and appreciated, the Catholic Communications Network said. It added that the pilgrimage is intended to offer hope and encouragement to these beleaguered communities.

Dr Williams said, "It is for local congregations to determine how best to respond to this appeal for prayer. On the final two Sundays of Advent many will be using scripture readings mentioning Bethlehem and carols such as 'O little town of Bethlehem' - perhaps that would be the moment to pause and remember the people of Bethlehem and all those from around the world who will be making a pilgrimage there at Christmas time."

Cardinal Murphy O'Connor said: "We are keen that local Christian communities pray with us as we prepare, in this Advent season, to make this pilgrimage and indeed when we are on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. The children of Bethlehem and their future are particularly in our hearts at this time. Your prayers and support, for us and the people of Bethlehem, are a means of expressing our unity in Christ."

The Church leaders will arrive in the Holy Land on 20 December and travel to Jerusalem to meet Church leaders.

The pilgrimage to the birth place of Jesus Christ is a response to invitations from Christian Churches in the Holy Land.