The Revd Professor Michael Prior C.M. died suddenly in July 2004. Vincentian priest and academic, he was also a stalwart, fearless and vocal supporter of the rights of Palestinians, and a founder and chairman of Living Stones. The reaction to his death has been one of deep sadness and loss. Such has been the strength of the response of his many friends and colleagues, coupled with a powerful wish to see his name and work perpetuated, that Living Stones decided to establish a memorial educational fund in his memory.
PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Fund is to establish a fund which will promote the development of higher academic studies among Palestinians, particularly in the following areas:
• Contextual Palestinian Christian theology
• Holy Land Studies
• Contextual pilgrimage and tourism in the Holy Land
The promotion of these objectives will be advanced in one or more of the following ways:
• The provision of scholarships and bursaries for undergraduate or postgraduate students who have been accepted by accredited universities anywhere in the world for courses in one of the above areas of study.
• The financing of research fellowships or lectureships in an appropriate area of study at a partner institution of higher education in the Middle East .The trustees of Living Stones of the Holy Land Trust will determine suitable partner institutions.
• Provision of financial help for the setting up of conferences and the publication of books that promote the development of research in the said areas of study.
Support from the Fund has been given to a series of lectures in Michael Prior’s name.
Michael Prior Memorial Lecture and Sponsored Visits
2007 - Michael Fisk, distinguished journalist and author of the Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East’ speaking on ‘Facts, Lies and Videotape’. St. Mary’s University College, London
2008 - Victoria Clark, distinguished author and journalist, speaking on ‘The Influence of the the Evangelical Zionist Lobby on Perceptions of Islam in the Western Media Bethlehem University, West Bank.
2009 - Lecture tour of Fr. Jamal Khader, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, Bethlehem University speaking on ‘Christian Muslim relations in the Holy Land today’; ‘The Church in Palestine: Crisis and Challenge.’ And ‘Education under siege; Challenges facing universities in Palestine’.
2010 - Professor Jacqueline Rose, distinguished scholar and author of ‘The Question of Zion (2005)’ and ‘The Last Resistance (2007). Speaking on St. Mary’s University College, London
2010 - Abuna Elias Chacour, Melkite Archbishop of Galilee, Friends of Biblelands inaugural lecture, Christ Church, Oxford. Partly sponsored by Michael Prior Memorial Educational Fund.
2011 - Nur Musalha, Professor of Religion and Politics speaking on ‘Violence, Non-Violence and Religion’ Bethlehem University, West Bank
2011 - +Michael Nazir-Ali, President of OXTRAD and former Bishop of Rochester considering ‘Contexts for leadership in Middle Eastern Christianity’ Catholic Chaplaincy, Oxford
Sponsored Studentships
Usama Salman: Sponsored PhD programme University of Lampeter 2006-2011.His study is focusing on the’ long and short term problems that the Palestinian Christians are facing which impact on their presence (and especially threats to their long term future) and identity’.
Grace al Zoughbi: Sponsored MA programme ,2010. A dissertation on’Transforming women: a study of six influential women: evaluating the personal impact in Old Testament times and in Palestine today.’, London School of Theology, Middlesex University.
Book Publications ‘
A Living Stone’ - Selected Essays and Addresses of Michael Prior CM. Edited with an introduction by Duncan Macpherson. Living Stones of the Holy Land Trust, 2006
Conferences
Several conferences held under the auspices of Living Stones with church leaders visiting from the Middle East and in the UK.
NEED FOR CONTINUING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND
The Fund stands at approximately £100,000 and it is largely the interest from the fund that is used in sponsorship. Living Stones would like to extend its reach but needs to double the fund in the next five years. All contributions would be gratefully received and should be sent to the Honorary Treasurer, Living Stones, c/o. Arab Birtish Centre, 1 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DE. A Gift Aid form for your contribution is available on the link. Please mark any contributions clearly as ‘Michael Prior Memorial Educational Fund’.
GIFT AID FORM
