|TOP|A three-member ecumenical pastoral delegation has been entrusted with the mission of expressing global ecumenical solidarity with churches and people affected by the current conflict in the Middle East.

The delegation, composed of representatives from the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Catholic Bishops' Conference of France, and the World Council of Churches (WCC), set sail from Cyprus to Beirut Wednesday.

The members of the delegation are CEC President Rev. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, the [Roman Catholic] Archbishop of Tours (France) Mgr. Bernard Aubertin, and WCC programme executive on racism, Ms Marilia Alves-Schüller. They are expected to stay in Beirut for two days before travelling (via Larnaca and Tel Aviv) to Jerusalem, where they will spend another two days before returning on or around 16 August.

|AD|Despite the tragic events currently overwhelming the region, the delegates have made it a priority to worship with Lebanese Christians and visit areas affected by the bombings on their arrival in Beirut.

They will also meet with religious and political leaders, government officials, and members of civil society groups.

The pastoral visit to Jerusalem will likewise include listening to people's experiences of the conflict, praying together with local Christians, and meeting with officials of the Palestinian and Israeli governments.

On 3 August, WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, appealed for the international community to “do whatever is possible to stop the bombings, negotiate a ceasefire and a comprehensive peace settlement” in Lebanon to “the leaders of the international community, especially to those from the United States, Israel and the United Kingdom”.

The Venerable Collin Williams, general secretary of CEC, in a 26 July statement on the Middle East crisis, said that “CEC joins with those churches which have spoken out calling for an immediate ceasefire”.

He invited Christians throughout Europe to continue to promote moves to defuse the crisis, to give support for humanitarian assistance, and to pray for victims in all communities.