UK's Top Religious Leaders Unite for Pre-Christmas Pilgrimage to Bethlehem
Ahead of Christmas, a coalition of religious leaders are set to embark on a pilgrimage to Bethlehem, spearheaded by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev Dr Rowan Williams.
Archbishop Williams and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor say the trip is in solidarity with Christians because of Israeli security measures there.
The town is "blocked in" by the Israeli security wall and checkpoints, according to Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor.
Dr Williams has also warned of an exodus of Christians from Bethlehem. Both have urged other Christians to visit Bethlehem.
The two archbishops will travel to Bethlehem with Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian, of the Armenian Church of Great Britain, and Rev David Coffey, of the Free Churches.
The group will arrive in the Holy Land and travel to Jerusalem on 20 December, returning to the UK on 23 December.
