The Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) is a medical center of excellence that has been providing health care services and other health programs since 1950. It is the largest project of the Lutheran World Federation -World Service (LWF). The hospital was established in partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees as a major medical facility to care for Palestinian refugees following the 1948 conflict.

“We grieve deeply with the people of Israel and Gaza whose lives have been horrifically impacted by unspeakable violence,” say the bishops, in a letter dated October 20. The letter also shares their concerns for the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (a global mission partner of the ELCIC and companion synod partner with the Eastern Synod), and “for the people of Gaza and the West Bank who are receiving harsh reprisals as a result of the horrific massacre by Hamas in Israel.”

The bishops invite the church to join them in prayer and concern for the region.

The text of the full letter follows. Download a pdf version of the letter here: https://elcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/All-Bishops-Gaza-letter3.pdf