An evangelical Bishop in Brooklyn has come to Israel’s protection, saying that it has the precise to defend itself within the conflict towards Hamas, the Arabic acronym for the Islamic Resistance Motion.
“I’m of the strongest opinion that each nation has a sovereign duty to defend itself from any pressure of terror and something or anybody who will impede upon the rights and livelihood of its residents,” Dr. Kenroy A. Cuffy, founder and bishop of Judah Worship Middle Ministries, Inc., on Church Avenue in Brooklyn, instructed Caribbean Life completely on Sunday.
“So, let me be clear, Israel has the precise to defend itself and its residents,” added the Vincentian-born bishop, who, on Jun. 28, 1999, based Judah Worship Middle Ministries, Inc., previously referred to as Abundantly Life Brooklyn Church of God. “Hamas terrorist assault on harmless Israeli residents on Oct. 7, 2023, who had been simply having fun with themselves, is preposterous and evil.
“This provocation is extraordinarily laborious to withstand,” continued Dr. Cuffy, who earned his doctoral diploma in theology from Open Bible Theological Seminary in Greenville, S.C. “Because of this, Israel has intensified its offensive methods in retaliation for the Hamas-initiated atrocities that killed over 1,139 Israeli civilians, and seized roughly 200 civilians as hostages. Nonetheless, residents of Gaza are caught within the crossfire of Israeli counterattacks on Hamas’ cruelty.
“Understandably, Israel response to the assaults from Hamas is throughout the scope of what any sovereign nation will do,” he stated, noting a New York Publish article that states {that a} youngster’s backpack was discovered on Oct. 22, 2023, stuffed with 7 kilograms of remote-activated Hamas explosives “meant to detonate upon being picked up.”
Bishop Cuffy stated Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed that Hamas militants had been discovered finishing up directions to deploy cyanide-based chemical weapons.
As well as, he stated the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Hamas of blocking Americans from leaving Gaza after the unique assaults.
“These actions of Hamas appear to recommend a complete disregard for civilians who’re caught in Gaza,” Bishop Cuffy stated. “That is the extent to which this conflict is affecting harmless lives and the cruelty they’re struggling.
“I’m of the opinion that the escalation of the conflict is because of Hamas’ refusal to again down and a significant try by each side to succeed in a peace deal,” he added. “This once more has provoked Israel to proceed its mission to destroy Hamas solely. Consequently, hundreds of harmless civilians are caught on this dreaded rivalry between Israel and Hamas.
“My query is: why do the harmless must at all times pay the value for the responsible?” Bishop Cuffy continued. “Why so many harmless civilians must endure? Why youngsters are on the level of dying from hunger? Why do harmless households must dwell in worry, pushed from their properties and, in so many instances, haven’t any properties to return to?
“Undoubtedly, this example has been raised to the states of a humanitarian disaster,” he stated. “Harmless civilians are struggling the better penalties of this conflict.”
Dr. Cuffy pointed to stories that, since Oct. 7, 2023, no less than 31,184 Palestinians have been killed and 72,889 injured in Israeli assaults on Gaza.
Alternatively, he famous {that a} revised demise toll in Israel from the Oct. 7, 2023 assaults stands at 1,139.
“These numbers of casualties on each side bear witness to the truth that the results of this conflict are inhumane, heart-wrenching and painful,” Dr. Cuffy stated.
He famous that Hamas was based in 1987 in the course of the first Palestinian intifada, or rebellion, towards Israeli occupation.
It was a derivative from Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist non secular, social and political motion, stated Bishop Cuffy, including that the rivalry between Palestine and Israel is “deeply rooted in biblical historical past and has by no means been considered one of genetic variations.”
“It is a rivalry based mostly in cultural and spiritual variations,” he stated. “Archaeological, biblical and genetic knowledge help that each Jews and Palestinians got here from the traditional Canaanites. Therefore, these folks appear to have extra in frequent than that which divides them. They’re all descendants of Abraham and may discover a frequent floor to co-exist.”
On the identical time, Bishop Cuffy stated anti-semitism is “one of many nice threats towards the Jewish folks.
“It’s my opinion that each one nationalities, race, shade or class should be handled with respect, decency and dignity,” he stated. “Nobody ought to be hostile to the Jewish folks, and the Jewish folks shouldn’t be hostile to anybody as properly.
“The problem of anti-semitism, in my opinion, is one which lacks of cultural identities,” Bishop Cuffy added. “An examination of cultural identities and values will showcase that societal norms and values assist people perceive a sure tradition with precision.
“Such norms emanate from major or secondary socialization processes that instill amongst folks what their society expects them to do or not do to information morality,” he continued. “Every tradition has completely different norms and values, which explains why folks from completely different cultures differ of their world views. Such variations are what differentiate cultures, providing every an identification relating to the distinctive traits, values and beliefs that set them aside as a gaggle.”
On this nexus, Bishop Cuffy stated the Jewish folks “should be seen as a folks of distinctive descent, traits, values and perception.
“Hostility towards them is inhumane and completely unaccepted,” he stated. “They should be handled with respect and dignity. Anti-semitism shouldn’t be tolerated or given any consideration in at the moment’s society. It’s my opinion that each one leaders of spiritual religion should interact in educating the significance of cultural identification, cultural humility and cultural integration.”
From a broader perspective, Dr. Cuffy stated tradition is the traits and information that an ethnic group possesses, corresponding to a novel language, faith and artwork.
“Due to this fact, all folks of race, shade, beliefs or class must co-exist collectively, in order that our world can expertise the vastness of our profound uniqueness and talents,” he stated. “I endeavor to show the youths and all folks of my congregation the significance of embracing completely different cultures.”
Whereas in residing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Bishop Cuffy pastored the Georgetown New Testomony Church of God for six years, and served because the regional youth and Christian schooling director for the Church of God St. Vincent and St. Lucia for 5 years.
After migrating to the US in October 1995, Bishop Cuffy continued his non secular vocation, founding Abundantly Life Brooklyn Church of God on June 28, 1999 earlier than renaming it Judah Worship Middle Ministries, Inc.
In addition to his doctorate, Bishop Cuffy pursued many fields of schooling. He holds levels in para-legalism, civil litigation and enterprise administration, and is at the moment finishing a grasp’s diploma in human service counseling and life teaching.
Bishop Cuffy considers himself “a servant of God to His folks.”
He believes that his highest obligation in life is to mentor and lead the folks of God, including that his objective is “wrapped up in doing service for God.”
Bishop Cuffy is married to his beautiful spouse, Gaylene Charles-Cuffy, a union that has produced three lovely youngsters.
On June 28, 2024, Bishop Cuffy and the Judah Worship Middle Ministries, Inc. congregation will rejoice 25 years of ministry within the Borough of Brooklyn.
Judah Worship Middle Ministries, Inc. is situated at 5509 Church Ave., between fifty fifth and 56th Streets, in Brooklyn.
You possibly can attain Bishop Cuffy at (347) 697-0197.
