Document
Geneva, August 19, 2021
Your Beatitudes,
Your Graces,
Your Eminences,
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
As thousands of people struggle to come to terms with the trauma and devastation wrought by the recent wildfires in your country, especially near the city of Jerusalem, I wish to express our solidarity with you and all those who have suffered loss of life and livelihoods. We are thankful that no serious injuries were reported.
The World Council of Churches (WCC), and all those within its fellowship of churches all around the world, are praying for you and all those seeking to provide for those in need.
It is becoming more and more obvious that the fires this year all over the world are not of the same scale as in previous years. They are part of the extreme phenomena increasingly observed as a consequence of the climate change. Human-induced climate change is accelerating and is fundamentally changing our only planetary home.
We are thankful for those professionals and volunteers who are participating in the operations risking their own lives. We are grateful to learn that several fire trucks from both Israel and the Palestinian Authority worked side by side.
In times of such crisis and grief one needs more than shelter, physical food and nourishment, and the churches are there to provide comfort and counsel, hospitality and hope, strength and solidarity. I express my deepest sympathy for the churches in Palestine and Israel as they care for a growing number of people affected by wildfires.
I pray that God’s good grace and wisdom will empower and strengthen you, as the prophet Job was encouraged and strengthened, as you continue to lead the people through these difficult times.
“I know now that nothing is impossible to you; for everything you plan, you carry out.”
(Job 42:2).
Even in the biggest catastrophe, God is with us and carries us – and we can be assured that we always can direct us to him.
Yours in the Risen Lord,
Rev. Prof. Dr. Ioan Sauca
Acting General Secretary
World Council of Churches
