wfn.org | Peacemaking Resolutions deal with Complex International Agendas

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99118 
25-June-1999 
 
                 Peacemaking Resolutions deal with 
                  Complex International Agendas 
 
 
FORT WORTH-The Assembly Committee on Peacemaking and International 
Relations spent its largest single chunk of time this week on Overture 20, 
a five-point request for a study of non-violent methods designed to reduce 
violence and promote justice in situations of ethnic tension, governmental 
oppression and violation of human rights, even genocide. 
     The committee's response was a single resolution, upheld Thursday by 
the Assembly plenary, that the Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD) develop 
recommendations to implement appropriate programs of nonviolent direct 
action in situations of conflict.  Such programs may include creation of 
linkages, in consultation with partner churches where applicable, to work 
with established groups such as Christian Peacemaking Teams (CPT) toward 
nonviolent resolution. In addition the resolution calls for the formation 
of Presbyterian Peacemaking Teams, within presbyteries, to be trained and 
to work in consultation with WMD. 
     Similarly the Assembly approved  the committee's response to Overture 
19,  an even more complex  request for a  study of ethical dilemmas 
presented to U.S. Christians in mission partnership relationships in 
countries where a repressive government attempts to control or intimidate 
the church.  The answering resolution directed the General Assembly Council 
(GAC) to initiate a study project that is reasonable and manageable in 
scope and cost, building on the work of the GAC's newly formed Human Rights 
and Religious Freedom Initiative Team and the WMD's partnership review 
process. 
 
     The Assembly adopted the committee's lengthy statement on Kosovo, 
written in response to two Kosovo-related Commissioners' Resolutions. The 
statement concluded with a call to the whole church to contribute 
generously to relief work and to be sensitive to needs of refugees who may 
resettle here.  In addition people are asked to pray for the Orthodox 
Church of Albania, other religious communities in the area, and all who 
have suffered loss as a result of this conflict. 
     Also approved, as per committee recommendation, were the following 
overtures:   
      -16, requesting the U.S. to exert pressure on Sri Lanka and Tamil to 
end civil war (etc.); 
      -31, calling for monitoring of U.S. owned overseas factories; 
      -40, commending efforts toward peace in Northern Ireland; 
      -51, on the impact of civil conflict in Indonesia and East Timor; 
      -55, reaffirming support for U.S. payment of UN dues and for stronger 
ecological protections; and 
      -71, reaffirming the call for international debt relief in the year 
of Jubilee, with study materials. 
     Other recommendations adopted by the Assembly related to the 
International Criminal Court, international observances, reaffirmation of 
the Presbyterian Commitment to Peacemaking and Commissioners' Resolutions 
relating to increasing response to African crises, and expressing gratitude 
to those who militarily defended our freedoms during this century. 
 
Midge Mack 

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