The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Bishop Coadjutor of Jerusalem, the Anglican Observer at the United Nations and the Secretary of the Anglican Communion, have issued statements of sympathy, concern and calls for prayer after the news of the recent bombings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Spiritual Leader of the Anglican Communion world-wide, Archbishop of Canterbury George L. Carey expressed deep shock and sadness at the recent events in the Middle East. In a letter to Prime Minister Shimon Peres of Israel and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, the Archbishop said, "Terrorist attacks on innocent people can never be condoned or justified. I am alarmed that these incidents could led to the return to the appalling spiral of violence, hatred and revenge at a time when peace was within reach, offering hope that the security needs and national aspirations of both communities could be satisfied." He also urged leaders to strive for "a just and lasting peace" and to resist "reprisals and intimidation which could so easily resume".

The Revd Canon John L. Peterson, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, said, "Having lived in the middle of the conflict in the Holy Land for 12 years, my heart is moved with great compassion for all the innocent people whose daily lives are threatened by such outbursts of violence and outrage. It is a horrible way for anyone to live, and I know the entire Anglican Communion joins me in prayers that such senseless turmoil will cease and the commitment to peace and dialogue will emerge triumphant."

Speaking on the future of the peace process, Canon Peterson said, "Much has been gained in the peace process, we must not let the cowardly attacks on innocent people hinder the need to look ahead and pray and work for peace. Our thoughts are particularly centred on the church in Jerusalem and especially our own Episcopal diocese, with Samir and Riah its bishops. This is just one more example of how extreme fundamentalism seeks to destroy rather than upbuild God's children, whether they be Christian, Muslim or Jew."

The Most Revd Samir Kafity, in his statement to Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat, and to his fellow Primates of the Anglican Communion said, "For the second successive Sunday in Jerusalem the dawning of the day was suddenly and violently disrupted. The whole world was able to witness the bloody and terrible carnage effected by those who seek to sabotage an increasingly fragile peace process. I join in condemning such brutal actions and activities by all sides and groups."

President Bishop Kafity spoke of the despair and shock of those caught in the violence. He said, "My heart reaches out in compassion and sorrow to the families of those who were killed, to the injured and to the people of this city who are by no means strangers to violence and bloodshed. Grief, anguish, shock, anger and despair are not new experiences in the lives of Jerusalem's citizens."

Bishop Kafity spoke, too, of the fears of retaliation and revenge. He said, "Inevitably and humanly, positions will be hardened and already strident voices are demanding justice. But justice is neither retaliation nor revenge. My own people are equally devastated and numbed by the events of this past week. Yet we must not be deterred from the quest for true justice and peace. We would be less than faithful if we were to lose heart and be discouraged at this critical moment in the history of the peoples of this land."

Bishop Riah Abu el-Assal, recently consecrated Bishop Coadjutor of Jerusalem, said, "I believe we must work on the side of peace and justice. I am fully aware that working for peace can mean greater suffering , but I am certain peace will overcome, not the work of terrorism. Anyone who does not work for peace and justice is working against his own people, no matter who they are."

"The bombings in Israel are indicative, not of peace and justice, but rather a mean spiritedness and evil which have permeated our societies," commented Bishop James Ottley, the Anglican Observer at the United Nations, who was in London for a meeting.

Bishop Ottley said, "Love and reconciliation must replace death, hatred and selfishness, if we are to live in peace in God's world."

President Bishop Kafity's official statement concluded, "The purposes of God are never thwarted by those who distort truth and attack and destroy the dignity of the Creator's image in his creatures. In this very city, the hill of Calvary and an Empty Tomb witness to the power of inexhaustible Love. In the name of Love I call upon all peoples of faith and good will to urge that the journey of peace not be disrupted by evil intent and that you pray with us and for the peace of Jerusalem."

The Archbishop of Canterbury has declared 10 March, the Third Sunday in Lent, as a Anglican Communion Day of Prayer for peace in the Middle East and in Northern Ireland.