Earlier, in a speech read out on his behalf, Arafat had criticized the Israeli government, and stressed his people's need to have independence and freedom. Many other officials present, some of whom were attending a meeting of general secretaries of Christian World Communions, emphasized the importance of the event for Christians world-wide. Holding up a candle, one of the guests, John L. Peterson, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, told ENI it was unlikely there had been a greater show of Christian unity in a long time. And not only hope for the church in this land, but hope for the church around the world. Sitting alongside him was Joe Hale, general secretary of the World Methodist Council, who said the show of Christian unity must come as a surprise to non-Christians.
Many people are confused.
Dr Ishmael Noko, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, told ENI the gathering of the heads of Jerusalem's churches in one place had sent a powerful signal to other religions that Christians of different denominations were prepared to make a united stand. I don't think the churches will remain the same. And I think we are moving into the third millennium with some kind of encouragement and good signs that the unity we have been praying for, for so long, is ahead of us. Also attending was Dr Milan Opocensky, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, who also told ENI he was encouraged by the gathering. Because, if the churches in this area, who have been separated very often from each other, if they are able to march, to walk together, then I think it is a very important, symbolic sign.