Press Advisory: National church leaders bring Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages to Parliament Hill on May 22
(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, by May 13.
Pilgrimages will culminate on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 22, where national representatives and church leaders will join for a prayer vigil and meetings with MPs.
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.
WHERE: Starting at Minto Park, traveling down Elgin Street to Parliament Hill.
WHAT: Photo opportunity or interview
WHO: Confirmed to attend are: Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator of the United Church of Canada; Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Leah Reesor-Keller, Transitional Executive Director, KAIROS Canada. The Presbyterian Church in Canada will also participate. More confirmations to come.
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 (she/her)
Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, KAIROS Canada, 416–875-0097, cmcnamara [at] kairoscanada [dot] org
The KAIROS Toronto office is on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat, Seneca and Mississaugas of the Credit Indigenous Peoples.
Lori-Ann Livingston (she/her)
Press and public relations lead, Office of the Moderator and General Secretary, The United Church of Canada, 416-231- 5931 x 2051, askmedia [at] united-church [dot] ca | llivingston [at] united-church [dot] ca
Based in Kitchener, Ont., on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Chonnonton peoples.
