September 9, 2010

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has sent a greeting to Jewish communities at the start of the festival of Rosh Hashanah, marking the start of the Jewish New Year, according to a press release from Lambeth Palace.

Williams acknowledged that in the months ahead, direct negotiations will be taking place between the Israeli and Palestinian authorities. "This will be a critically important test for those directly responsible and a heavy responsibility lies on them to move the situation forward from the tragic patterns of recrimination and retaliation that have become so familiar," he said, adding that it is his hope and prayer that religious communities can pray together for peace and justice.

The full text of the greeting is available online at http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2985.

Episcopal News Service