The Bishop in Cyprus & the Gulf, the Rt Revd Sean Semple, has called for 'peace, wise diplomacy' and a de-escalation of 'catastrophic conflict', in a message of solidarity to churches and communities impacted by war in the region. 

In a filmed message shared 12 March, on the Diocese's Facebook account, bishop Sean said: 'In a world desperate for peace, we lift unceasing prayers that the gift of peace will take root in every heart. We offer whatever we have, our voices, our compassion, our time and energy, to uphold and comfort one another and to stand beside those in need.'

The bishop's message relays the direct impact on civilians across the Middle East: 'Eight of the countries of our diocese have been attacked since the beginning of the war between the Israel, the US and Iran. This is a conflict that has a far greater impact on our region and diocese than the first or second Gulf Wars. The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Quatar have thus far borne the brunt of attacks on the Gulf. There have also been attacks on Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, Aman and Cyprus.'

Bishop Sean speaks of the resilience of church communities and how attendance has increased during the conflict. The churches of the diocese are working hard to provide support and worship services both in-person and online.

On Monday 9 March, the Diocese was involved in an ecumenical service at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Cathedral to pray for peace. 

In Bahrain, St Christopher’s Cathedral — part of Bishop Semple’s diocese — is running a daily online prayer service, which is gathering traction from local and international communities. 

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Rt Revd Sean Rowe, has also led a virtual interfaith vigil for peace. 

Bishop Sean Semple has expressed how the churches have felt strengthened by the support of the wider Anglican Communion.

Anglican Calls for Peace and Advocacy

In recent days, the Anglican Communion Office has amplified a Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Hosam Naoum about conflict in the Middle East.

An excerpt read: 'These developments strike at the very soul of our Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East. Every single nation now engaged in this combat, and those bearing the brunt of the retaliatory strikes, resides within our ecclesiastical boundaries. Our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Iran are currently enduring the terror of aerial bombardment; our members in the Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf are witnessing the arrival of war at their doorsteps; and our faithful in the Diocese of Jerusalem—extending across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—face an unprecedented threat of military escalation. In the face of such overwhelming force, we recall the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.'

The Anglican Communion is also one of four world communions that have recently signed a joint call for the 'gift of peace' in the face of rising conflict in the world. 

Representatives of the Anglican Communion on the UNHCR's multireligious leaders council have also issued a statement about the status of refugees who are being impacted by the conflict.

Read a transcript of Bishop Sean's message below or watch the film online:

My dear brothers and sisters of the Diocese  of Cyprus and the Gulf.

Grace mercy and peace from God our Father and the lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Eight of the countries of our diocese have been attacked since the beginning of the war between the Israel, the US and Iran. This is a conflict that has a far greater impact on our region and diocese than the first or second Gulf Wars.

The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Quatar have thus far borne the brunt of attacks on the Gulf. There have also been attacks on Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, Aman and Cyprus.

We Anglicans are among the 5 million Christians who live, worship and work in these countries. Countries where we have churches, priests and also chaplains serving in the Mission to Seafarers.

In this second week of war, during a time where half the world is either observing Lent or Ramadan, our prayers continue for peace, for wise diplomacy to de-escalate this catastrophic conflict and to bring it to a swift end.

We pray too for the mounting number of civilian casualties in the Gulf, Isael, Palestine, Lebanon and Iran as civilian infrastructure is increasingly targeted. So often it is the vulnerable, such as migrant workers, that are the first victims of any conflict.

We pray for their protection, for the healing of the injured and for God’s comfort for those that grieve. In our prayers we also give thanks for the extraordinary protection that  Gulf countries offer all within their bounds and the support they show for those affected by the war.

Our churches on the front line of this conflict are finding ways of adapting to the danger and uncertainty of the situation they find themselves in. By God’s grace, the creative, courageous work of our clergy and parish leadership have ensured that all the churches of the diocese continue to minister to their people and indeed anyone in need at this time.

Where it is unsafe to leave home, services and ministries of the church have moved online. And where it is possible to attend church, attendance is on the rise since last week. In some places, back to about three quarters of normal attendance.This illustrates how important faith is to the Christians of the Middle East. Their commitment to their faith and how fervently it is expressed. During church services, as everyone’s phone alerts go off, sirens outside begin to blare and sonic booms and explosions of interceptions are heard overhead, the faithful will shelter in place in the church and when the danger is over will continue in their worship of God.

Every day at 6 pm our Cathedral of St Christopher’s in Bahrain offers an online service of evening prayer for anyone in the diocese and beyond that would like to pray with us. Details of our service can be found on our website and you are most welcome to join us.

Jesus called his disciples to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. To reflect his light in the world. By the grace of God this sacred calling is what we seek to live out as disciples of Christ at this time and across the Gulf and in Cyprus.

In a world desperate for peace, we lift unceasing prayers that the gift of peace will take root in every heart. We offer whatever we have, out voices, our compassion, our time and energy, to uphold and comfort one another and to stand beside those in need.

We pray that our lives may be a witness to the resurrection hope in Christ and that we may be found amongst the faithful peacemakers of these lands.

My dear brothers and sisters, as the salt of the earth and light of Christ, be steadfast in faith, expectant in hope and untiring in love for God and for neighbour.

And may the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you this day and remain with you forever more.

Amen. 

For more information

Watch the film online

Visit the Facebook page for the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf