Media advisory: National church leaders gather on Parliament Hill tomorrow
(Unceded Algonquin Territory [Ottawa, ON]) – Across Canada, congregations and communities of faith are mobilizing for a just peace in Palestine and Israel by participating in local pilgrimages – walking or rolling together for all or part of 41 kilometres, which is the length of the Gaza strip.
On May 22, national representatives and church leaders will join for a prayer vigil and meetings with MPs on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
The Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage: Canadian Churches for Just Peace is an initiative organized by KAIROS Canada and its member churches.
WHEN: May 22. Gathering at 8:00 a.m.; opening prayers at 8:30 a.m.; begin moving at 9:00 a.m.; vigil at Parliament Hill at 10:00 a.m. Press conference in the National Press Theatre, Room 325-180 Wellington St. at 11:30 a.m.*
WHERE: Starting at Minto Park, traveling down Elgin Street to Parliament Hill.
WHAT: Photo opportunity or interview
WHO: Confirmed speakers: Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator of the United Church of Canada; Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; Leah Reesor-Keller, Transitional Executive Director, KAIROS Canada, and the Rev. Dr. J. Dorcas Gordon, Principal Emerita, Knox College, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, who has just returned from a visit to Palestine.
Also confirmed to attend: The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, Doug Klassen, Executive Minister, Mennonite Church Canada; and the Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald, General Secretary, The Life and Mission Agency, The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
* Participation in the question and answer portion of this event is in person or via Zoom, and is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only. Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.
BACKGROUND:
KAIROS and member churches have a long history of supporting and accompanying partners in Palestine and in Israel in their work. We amplify their calls for just peace in the region to the Canadian public and government.
The pilgrimages are part of the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage, a network of autonomous Christian groups with shared perspectives who engage in a prayerful expression of solidarity in cities around the world.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cheryl McNamara
Communications and advocacy coordinator, KAIROS Canada, 416–875-0097, cmcnamara@kairoscanada.org
The KAIROS Toronto office is on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and Mississaugas of the Credit Indigenous Peoples.
