No place in Church for antisemitism, says North American bishop after Israel visit

Over 100 American churches recited a special prayer written by Bishop Julian Dobbs on Sunday, following his recent solidarity visit to Israel on behalf of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA).

“God of all comfort and hope, who in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, proclaimed good news to the poor, bound up the broken-hearted, and set the captives free: We remember before You this day all who are affected by the violence of October 7, and we ask You to heal the wounded, comfort those who mourn, and bring justice and peace to the land of Israel,” the prayer read.

Not to be confused with the American Episcopal Church, the ACNA is affiliated with the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), an organization established in Jerusalem. 

“My task was to go and minister to [the different] people groups, as best I can, to say, in the midst of this incredible tension, ‘You are not alone. The Anglican Church in North America is here. We’re praying for you, and we’re attempting to hear from you what’s happening for you and your circumstances,’” Dobbs told Kevin Coulson on the online video newscast, Anglican Unscripted. 

“I was privileged to be with small Aramean Christian communities right up on the northern border with Lebanon. Those communities are being targeted by Hezbollah rockets.”

The bishop then traveled south to the communities most adversely affected by the Hamas atrocities. Dobbs left a handwritten note at the site of the Nova Music Festival, where 364, mostly young people, were murdered.

“I was able to meet with Jewish communities directly impacted from the October 7 massacre, and listen to the story about how those dear people have attempted to rebuild their lives,” he told Coulson. “The stories that they tell are chilling and they are horrific.” 

Dobbs also met with Arab Christians in Nazareth and those who live in Beit Jala, near Bethlehem, in the West Bank.

“I talked to some Palestinian Christians about how they’ve been impacted since October 7 last year, and what this whole intensification of the situation in the region has meant for them and their ministry.

“I heard the importance to many of them of a strong Israel. They said to me, some of them, that Israel is the only country in the Middle East that allows people to choose and change their religion without fear of reprisal. 

“Some of them said to me, ‘If we lose Israel, if, Israel is weakened, then Christianity will come under huge pressure and we will not be able to practice our faith.” 

Dobbs said that even as he was wrestling with the challenges of canceled flights amid rocket attacks by Iranian proxies, his thoughts turned again to the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“While I was working hard to liberate and extract myself from the land of Israel, I thought of those 101 people still being held captive in Gaza… and their lives can only be described as hellish as a result of those atrocities.”

The bishop called for people to pray but also to “be informed.” He said there is “no place” for antisemitism in the Church or the world.

“I’m asking where you can: take a stand against antisemitism. Don’t tolerate it. Don’t remain silent…” he urged.

“One hundred and one people are still being held captive in the tunnels of Gaza. It’s time to bring them home. Whatever the cost, bring them home. It is never appropriate to incarcerate people against their will.”

Below is the full text of Dobbs’s corporate prayer:

“God of all comfort and hope, who in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, proclaimed good news to the poor, bound up the broken-hearted, and set the captives free: We remember before You this day all who are affected by the violence of October 7, and we ask You to heal the wounded, comfort those who mourn, and bring justice and peace to the land of Israel. Look with mercy upon the peoples of the Middle East, that, in Your great compassion, the light of Christ may shine in the darkness and bring hope to every nation. As Simeon rejoiced to see Your salvation, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel, so we pray that Jesus, the Messiah, would be known as the true hope for all the earth. May Your Kingdom come, and may Your peace reign in every heart, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”