wfn.org | Bishops call for U.N. role in Iraq, decry violence

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

May 11, 2004   News media contact: Tim Tanton7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.
7 E-mail: newsdesk@umcom.org 7 ALL-I{200}

By United Methodist News Service

The United Methodist Church's bishops are urging the U.S. government to
request help from the United Nations in establishing a transitional
government in Iraq.

In a May 11 resolution, the Council of Bishops said it "laments the continued
warfare by the United States and coalition forces" in Iraq, noting that the
cycle of violence has led to the "denigration of human dignity and gross
violations of human rights of Iraqi prisoners of war." 

The bishops say they pray for military personnel and their families, and ask
that United Methodists pray for peace.

The council also asks the U.S. government to "request that the United Nations
become involved in the transition process to a new Iraqi government" and that
a multinational development plan be started for rebuilding Iraq and other
Middle Eastern nations.

The statement comes a few days after the April 27-May 7 General Conference,
the church's top legislative assembly and the only entity that speaks for the
entire denomination. A group of bishops had drafted a resolution for the
assembly to consider at its gathering in Pittsburgh, but the resolution
didn't have enough votes to get on the floor.

However, before adjourning shortly before midnight May 7, the General
Conference delegates did approve a resolution supporting calls for a full
investigation into the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners. The delegates also
urged that the prisoners be treated in accordance with the international
Geneva Convention. Reports and photographs of Iraqi prisoners being abused by
U.S. soldiers have caused an international furor, particularly in the Middle
East.

On May 5, the National Council of Churches USA issued a statement expressing
sadness and indignation over the situation in Iraq. The NCC, which includes
the United Methodist Church among its members, said U.S. actions have led to
the alienation of many around the world. "It is time the United States takes
actions that befit its place among the community of nations," the NCC said. 

In their statement, the United Methodist bishops said the "continuing loss of
Iraqi civilian lives, especially children, and the increasing death toll
among United States, coalition military and civilian personnel in Iraq
grieves the heart of God."

They went on to note that "the premises advanced by the United States
government for engaging in this war - namely, the presumption of weapons of
mass destruction and the alleged connection between al-Qaida and Iraq - have
not been verified."

The council includes 68 active bishops in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United
States. The bishops are the top clergy leaders of the 11.4 million-member
denomination.

# # #
A full text of the council's statement follows:

Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

Resolution on the War in Iraq

Whereas, the prophet Micah reminds us that God "shall judge between many 
peoples, and shall arbitrate strong nations far away," and calls nations to
"beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks,"
that nations will no longer "lift up sword against nation, and neither shall
they learn war any more" (Micah 4:3); and

Whereas, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church states that 
"we deplore war" and "urge peaceful settlement of all disputes" (Para. 164G, 
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2000); and,

Whereas, the continuing loss of Iraqi civilian lives, especially children, 
and the increasing death toll among United States, coalition military and 
civilian personnel in Iraq grieves the heart of God; and,

Whereas, the premises advanced by the United States government for engaging 
in this war, namely, the presumption of weapons of mass destruction and 
alleged connection between Al Qaeda and Iraq have not been verified; and,

Whereas, the cycle of violence in which the United States is engaged has 
created a context for the denigration of human dignity and gross violations 
of human rights of Iraqi prisoners of war;

Therefore, The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church:

1.	Laments the continued warfare by the United States and coalition
forces.
2.	Prays for military personnel and their families who have sacrificed
as a result of this war and for a swift end to the destruction and violence
raging in Iraq. 
3.	Asks the United States government to request that the United Nations
become involved in the transition process to a new Iraqi government. 
4.	Requests the United Nations to establish a legitimate transitional
government of Iraq to maintain the peace and safeguard sustainable
development efforts. 
5.	Calls for the rebuilding of Iraq and other nations in the Middle East
through a multinational development plan that honors the participation of the
peoples of the region and gives them hope for the future. 
6.	Invites United Methodists throughout the world to pray for a new era
of peace and to advocate for public policies that promote justice, life, and
reconciliation among adversaries.

 
 

*************************************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org