wfn.org | British Methodist churches to hear statement on Iraq

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Feb. 21, 2003	  News media contact: Joretta Purdue7(202)
546-87227Washington    10-21-71B{098}

NOTE: The text of a letter to be read in British Methodist churches Sunday
follows the story.

By United Methodist News Service

Leaders of the British Methodist Church have created a letter about pending
military action against Iraq that is to be read in Feb. 23 worship services
throughout the United Kingdom. A copy of the letter has been forwarded to
Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"If military force against Iraq should be judged to be politically necessary,
it should be used only as a last resort," the letter states. "It is essential
that such action is authorized by a new resolution of the U.N. Security
Council."

The Rev. Ian T. White, president of the Methodist Conference, and Professor
Peter Howdle, vice president, say they are often asked about the church's
position on the Iraq situation. The threat of war is looming as a result of
Iraq's suspected buildup of weapons of mass destruction.

"Since the summer of 2002, we have urged our government to act through the
United Nations to give every reasonable opportunity for the government of
Iraq to comply with the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council," they
write. "The work of the weapons inspectors is crucial. So is continuing
diplomatic activity to find a peaceful resolution."
 
They note that even if the U.N. Security Council authorizes military action
against Iraq, the debate will continue. "Methodists have divergent opinions
about the motives of various governments and about what should be done," they
observe. "We must listen patiently to one another, however deep our feelings
run."

Christians will still have the responsibility of making judgments informed by
faith and expressing their opinions to elected representatives. "Christian
tradition prompts us to listen carefully to a range of ethical positions as
we debate together what action should be taken in a situation like the
present one," White and Howdle write.

The two religious leaders also express concern about recent increases in
religious and racial tension in British society. "Methodists are committed to
developing relations of friendship with people of all world faiths," they
remind their members. "Methodists do this in the spirit of our founder, John
Wesley, who urged his followers to show themselves 'the friends of all, the
enemies of none.'" The letter encourages church members to reach out to those
of other faiths in their own neighborhoods.

"With all this in mind, we call upon the whole church to pray for all who are
involved in the current international crisis," White and Howdle write. "In
our prayers we need to remember the many different ways in which people are
affected."

# # #

PASTORAL LETTER ON IRAQ FROM THE PRESIDENT 
AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE METHODIST CONFERENCE
 
Please find below the text of a letter written by the President and Vice
President of the Methodist Church in Britain about the current crisis over
Iraq. This letter was sent yesterday to Methodist ministers to be read out in
all Methodist churches across Britain this Sunday, 23 February.
 
 +++
 
Dear Friends
 
We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
 
At the request of the Methodist Council, we write to all members and friends
of the Methodist Church in Britain at this critical juncture in international
affairs.  We shall also copy this letter to the Prime Minister. 
 
We are aware of deep feelings of anxiety in all sections of British society
at the prospect of the possible use of military force against Iraq.  Many
Methodists have asked us where our Church stands on such momentous issues and
this is our current position:
 
Since the summer of 2002 we have urged our Government to act through the
United Nations to give every reasonable opportunity for the government of
Iraq to comply with the resolutions of the UN Security Council.  The work of
the Weapons Inspectors is crucial.  So is continuing diplomatic activity to
find a peaceful resolution.
 
If military force against Iraq should be judged to be politically necessary,
it should be used only as a last resort.  It is essential that such action is
authorised by a new resolution of the UN Security Council.
 
We invite Methodists to consider the following matters as we all continue to
think about the developing situation.
 
 1.	Complex international crises always provoke heated arguments and
conflicts of political and economic judgment. Methodists have divergent
opinions about the motives of various governments and about what should be
done. We are often frustrated because we do not have enough information. We
must listen patiently to one another, however deep our feelings run.
 
 2.   Even if the UN were to authorise military action in relation to Iraq,
that will not bring the debate to an end.  Christians will still have the
responsibility of making judgments which are informed by our faith, and of
pressing their case with their elected representatives and with the
government.  
 
 3.   The Christian tradition prompts us to listen carefully to a range of
ethical positions as we debate together what action should be taken in a
situation like the present one.
 
Some in the Church are pacifists, who believe that there can never be a moral
justification for war or military action.  
 
Others in the Church, probably the majority, believe that military action may
be supported, as the lesser of evils and as a last resort, under certain
strict conditions.  For those who adopt this position, there will still be
questions to explore, for example:   
 
 *	Is there a just cause for military action?
 *	Has every other means of resolving the crisis been tried?
 *	Are the aims of military action likely to result in greater justice
and security?
 *	Is there a reasonable expectation that overall the good will outweigh
the evil that will inevitably result from military action?
 
One of our deepest concerns in recent months has been the increase in
religious and racial tension in British society.  Methodists are committed to
developing relations of friendship with people of all world faiths.
Methodists do this in the spirit of our founder, John Wesley, who urged his
followers to show themselves 'the friends of all, the enemies of none'. We
invite you today to take a fresh initiative to offer the hand of friendship
to members of other faith communities in your neighbourhood.
 
With all this in mind we call upon the whole Church to pray for all who are
involved in the current international crisis. In our prayers we need to
remember the many different ways in which people are affected.
 
			Lord of all -
			May your wisdom 
				enable the search for justice,
			Your light 
				reveal the path of hope,
			And your love 
				embrace the world you created.
			In these days of tension and uncertainty,
			May your gift of peace
				be shared with all people.
 
The peace of the Lord be with you and with all people. We shall continue to
pray for you.
 
The Reverend Ian T White, President of the Methodist Conference
Professor Peter Howdle, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
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