[Episcopal News Service]
Thirty-seven Christian leaders from three Western nations, gathered in Geneva, Switzerland, for a meeting of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, have issued an urgent call to the American government to pull back from its unilateral movement toward pre-emptive military action against Iraq, and to seek the appropriate counsel of the U.S. Congress, the United Nations, and U.S. allies.
The group, which included both General Secretary Bob Edgar and President Elenie Huszagh of the National Council of Churches USA, warned that the human cost might far outweigh the gain of such an attack, and that they do not believe it has been proven that 'all reasonable alternative means of containing Iraq's development of weapons of mass destruction have been exhausted.'
The statement expressed strong concerns about the 'internal repression' of the Iraqi government and called for Saddam Hussein to halt efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction. But it also said unilateral action against Iraq weakens the international community and undermines respect for law. 'We have watched with growing alarm as the United States government has become increasingly unilateral in its approach to foreign affairs, and has failed to heed the advice and counsel of friends and allies,' the statement said.
'Our knowledge of and links with church partners in the Middle East and our unity in Christ with Christians there make us very sensitive to the destabilizing potential of a war against Iraq for the whole region, the statement continued. 'As Christians, we are concerned by the likely human costs of war with Iraq, particularly for civilians. We are unconvinced that the gain for humanity would be proportionate to the loss.'
Anglican signers of the statement include Bishop Christopher Epting (Episcopal Church, U.S.A.); the Rev. Alyson Barnett-Cowan and Alice-Jean Finlay (Anglican Church of Canada); Bishop Barry Morgan (Church in Wales); and Bishop Barry Rogerson (Church of England).
|
