Looking ahead to 2017: A message from PIEN President Helen Rainger
Occupation 101. This documentary, viewed in the context of theology studies, was my starting point for my awareness of the injustices on many levels suffered by the Palestinian people. Why wasn’t I more aware and concerned before this point, a mere five years ago? There are many reasons (and non-reasons); and that is where PIEN comes in.
Those in Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network perhaps see their role as being to wake people up. Put more formally (and see our website for our aims), we are working to make people in general in Australia and more specifically people within our churches, aware of the need for peace with justice in that troubled land. A voice from the churches and to the churches.
To misquote a friend speaking of a different ‘rumour’, I like to see our mission also as ‘keeping the rumour of Palestine alive’. How political should a theology be? As ‘political’ as it needs to be. The significance of Palestinian theology is that it brings our view of God into conversation with the realpolitik of what is happening in Palestine and Israel.
Also part of the role of PIEN is to be in solidarity with Palestinian Christians. The Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre for is holding its 10th International Conference in Bethlehem in March and Fred (Rainger) and I are attending. From moments of worship at the Sea of Galilee to confronting the various brands of religious extremism, participants from around the world will stand together.
Read the rest of the President's message here