Church leaders divided over Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

As conflicts continue to rage over the declaration by President Donald Trump of the United States of America that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, and the subsequent order to move the US Embassy, followed by palpable tension recorded in other parts of the globe, more Christian leaders have lent their voices to the reactions, with majority flaying the move.

From indications, following varied conflicts and resolution moves in the Middle East, it would seem that Trump’s declaration has only aided the seeming ‘Christianisation’ of Israel.

Over the past week, there have been pockets of conflicts aimed at condemning the declaration, and with the significance Jerusalem holds in the history of Christianity across the globe, it is only expected that the Christian community aired its views on the declaration that has triggered further controversy.

Head of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide, Pope Francis, in his previous weekly audience with the congregation before the recognition by Trump, had appealed for “wisdom and prudence” in tackling the issue to avoid unnecessary conflict.

According to the Associated Press, the Pope said: “I cannot keep quiet about my deep worry about the situation that has been created in the last few days.” He appealed “that everyone respects the status quo of the city” according to U.N. resolutions.

“I pray to the Lord that its identity is preserved and strengthened for the benefit of the Holy Land, the Middle East and the whole world and that wisdom and prudence prevail to prevent new elements of tension from being added to a global context already convulsed by so many cruel conflicts,” Pope Francis stated.

Jerusalem, key to achieving peace and security in the world –World Council of Churches

General Secretary, World Council of Churches, Reverend (Dr) Olav Fykse Tveit, in a statement entitled On US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital, affirmed the importance of Jerusalem to Christian history and called on the US government to reconsider its position.

“Together with all Christians around the world, the member churches of the World Council of Churches look to the Holy City of Jerusalem as the location of the foundational event at the origins of our faith. The WCC recognises Jerusalem as a city of three faiths and two peoples. We also recognise the central significance and acute political, social and religious sensitivity of the status of Jerusalem in any final and sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

“In a move that has caused grave concern in the region and the wider international community, President Trump has announced his administration’s plans to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Such a step breaks with the longstanding international consensus, and almost seven decades of established American policy, that the status of Jerusalem remains to be settled. It also preempts a negotiated resolution of this most difficult issue in any final peace agreement, which must be achieved between Israelis and Palestinians themselves.

“The WCC shares and strongly affirms the concerns expressed by His Majesty, King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, that this measure will have serious implications for security and stability in the Middle East, will undermine the efforts of the American administration to resume the peace process and fuel the feelings of Palestinian Muslims and Christians alike. Together with King Abdullah, we also stress that ‘Jerusalem is the key to achieving peace and security in the world.’

“The United States must play a pivotal role in encouraging and supporting constructive negotiations between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, if the moribund peace process is to be revived. But the imposition of this decision on the status of Jerusalem will only lead to more disillusionment, increased tensions, and diminished hopes. It cannot serve the interests of a just peace in the region. The World Council of Churches calls on the US Administration to reconsider its position on this key issue, and to exert its maximum efforts in promoting renewed negotiations among Israelis and Palestinians for a genuine, just and sustainable peace,” Tveit stated.

Support, encourage negotiations between the Government of Israel and Palestinian Authority –World Methodist Council

The World Methodist Council, in a similar release obtained by TribuneChurch, urged the Trump administration to respect ongoing negotiations at ensuring lasting peace and refrain from actions that would degenerate into conflicts.

It read: “The World Methodist Council (WMC) and its member churches acknowledge the foundational role that the Holy City of Jerusalem has played in the history of the Christian Faith. The WMC, in partnership with two of its member churches, maintains a presence in the city through The Methodist Liaison Office in Jerusalem, which serves to increase awareness and involvement of the Methodist-Wesleyan community in current issues affecting Israel and Palestine.

“At this time of social, political, and religious sensitivity around the status of Jerusalem, we express dismay at the announcement of President Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, dismissing decades of established American policy and international consensus. Such a move undermines peace-building efforts in the region between the two states. His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan stated that the city, which has long been home to three Abrahamic faiths, is the key to achieving peace and security in the region and in the world.

“In a joint letter to President Trump sent on December 6, the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches in Jerusalem advised the United States to continue to uphold the current international status of Jerusalem, noting that to change that status and how the U.S. relates to Jerusalem would serve only to obstruct and complicate peace-building efforts. They invited President Trump to ‘walk with us in hope as we build a just, inclusive peace for all the peoples of this unique and Holy City,’” the statement read.

Making references to The Resolution on Israel and Palestine adopted by the World Methodist Council in 2011 which called for member churches to “work and pray for a just and sustainable peace in Israel in Palestine,” as well as a 2010 report of the Methodist Church in Britain which states: “…it sits uncomfortably with many Methodists to imagine a God who singles out individuals or groups in order to promote possession,” for it seems to conjure up “a notion of favouritism, with an image of God dispossessing some peoples in order to grant land for his chosen ones,” the WMC therefore called for urgent steps to be taken to ensure lasting peace in line with efforts already made in that regard.

“The World Methodist Council joins its voice with the World Council of Churches and other Christian world communions in urgently calling on the United States administration to rise boldly to the task of being peace-makers in the global arena. This can only be achieved by supporting and encouraging the negotiations between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority,” the statement read.

It’s a huge setback, great embarrassment to the world –Archbishop Stephen

Archbishop Kehinde Stephen, in his reaction condemned Trump’s declaration, describing him as a unilateralist.

According to him, “President Donald Trump is a unilateralist and that is where the problem is. The Methodist Church Nigeria belongs to the World Methodist Council, and we acknowledge the foundational role that holy city of Jerusalem has played in the history of the Christian faith. He’s acting on his own and it’s a great embarrassment to the world.

“Jerusalem serves as capital to different faiths and I think that regardless of the sentiments, because of the struggle and history and so on, and if we are looking for solution, I believe in a two-state solution. Taking that position should have come as a result of negotiated settlement, rather than a unilateral declaration. Is Trump saying that his position is greater than the rest of the world? It’s a great setback for everybody, including Israel because they would not want to accept it. I’m not happy and I think the world should stand up to President Trump because this is just the beginning. We are just going to have sporadic crisis all over the world as a result of this kind of position. People should, at this time, sympathise with Donald Trump and United States and find a way to debunk certain things happening from the feelings of most Americans. Why don’t we allow peace?” he lamented.

What’s Trump’s business with Israel’s internal crisis? –Revd Akinadewo

Rev James Akinadewo of Motailatu Church of God said: “Is Donald Trump an Israeli? What is his business with the internal crisis of Israel?. Let him face America’s internal problems of moral indiscipline, where youngsters kill themselves with guns, and there’s no value for human dignity, no biblical standard, and corruption of the minds and other vices, than meddling in the internal affairs of another nation. That is an indication of war and an end time reality.”

We should respect the opinions of the Israelites –Bishop Aladekugbe

Bishop Williams Aladekugbe of Oyo Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), stated that “To the best of my knowledge, Donald Trump is a controversial personality. He decided to go into what his predecessors avoided in order not to inflame tensions. A lot of reactions trailed Trump’s announcement. As far as I am concerned, we should respect the opinion of the Israelites, as we cannot be more Catholic than the Pope.”

‘It’s a welcome development’

Bishop Titus Omoniyi, to some extent, threw his weight behind Trump, stating that “Jerusalem was the great city of David, a noble king in Israel. It was then the capital city that was adorable to Israel, and for me, the declaration by Donald Trump is like bringing back the lost glory of Israel, a fortified city. Jerusalem was the biblical capital city of the Jewish people, and it is a welcome development. It may also be viewed as a phenomenon that echoes the end time.”

Trump’s declaration won’t lead to end of the world –Bishop Adeoye

Bishop Seun Adeoye of Sufficient Grace and Truth Ministry described Trump’s declaration as a phase in world history, noting that he foresaw many things.

“President Donald Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was just a phase in the world history. He was only fulfilling one of his campaign promises to the Americans and their ally, the Israelis. As it is, he only opened another chapter in the Middle East story. I foresee that many things will unfold in the years ahead and I strongly feel that many other issues left unattended to between Israel and its Arab neighbours will be looked into now.

“He did what other American presidents had promised but failed to accomplish. So, I see Trump as a very courageous person. He is unrepentant in his ideals and undiplomatic in his approach. Although, this step is so unpopular among the world leaders, I think I am on the side of President Trump if this will lead to peace between the Palestine and Israel and based on many other reasons as a Bible teacher. Anyway, we should keep on praying for God’s purpose to be fulfilled in the Middle-East.

“Who owns Jerusalem? Well, the first time Jerusalem was mentioned in the Bible was in the Book of Joshua. The town was inhabited by people referred to as the Jebusites. It was conquered by the Israelites. It became the capital of Israel during the reign of King David. Many other kings of Israel ruled here. It also became the religious centre when David moved the ark of covenant there according to biblical account. In spite of several spiritual attachments to the city of Jerusalem, it must be noted that the city has been in existence centuries before the advent of Jewish religion, Christianity or Islam. However, the city had gone through a lot of wars.

“As for the signs of the end time, yes, biblically it is. But only God will decide when the end will come. Indeed, everything happening around us indicates that the end may be near. However, I can confidently say that Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel capital won’t lead to the end of the world. Indeed, Jesus told us that it is when people are saying “peace, peace” that the end will come. But now, it is the sound of war-war.”