Posted on 10/05/2005 5:46:00 PM PDT by sionnsar
In what is said to be the first new church construction in Qatar since the seventh century, the Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf announced that it had acquired land in Doha, the capital, and drawn up plans for construction of an Anglican center which would include worship facilities, meeting space and facilities for a wide range of community activities.
The initiative sends an “unmistakable message” about dialogue and understanding between Muslims and Christians, according to the Most Rev. Clive Handford, president of the Anglican Province of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and Bishop of Cyprus and the Gulf. It was made possible through the generosity of the country’s ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, who has ensured allocation of land for churches and church communities, according to Anglican Communion News Service.
“This center will serve people of many nationalities and backgrounds who live and work in Qatar,” Bishop Handford said. “For many of them it will be a home from home. But we hope it will also serve the wider community in the region and in the world. Qatar is an extremely important country in the Middle East.”
A design by London-based architect Tom Hornsby has already been selected for the center which will be known as the Church of the Epiphany for the worshiping community. The Anglican community in Qatar has already raised about one-quarter of the $7.1 million cost of construction, according to ACNS. The Most Rev. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, will launch an appeal for the remainder tomorrow evening at Lambeth Palace.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. I'll believe it when I see it built. This has been talked about for a long time. It's like a church in Communist Russia - for show. The people will be in danger if they actually use it for real worship.
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