World Alliance of Reformed Churches News Release 8 August 2006
A CALL TO END VIOLENCE
Saying the world cannot wait for signs of a ?new Middle East,? leaders of three prominent international groups representing millions of Christians worldwide issued a joint appeal for an end to the violence in the Middle East today.
The leaders included Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, Bishop Mark Hanson, president of the Lutheran World Federation , and Clifton Kirkpatrick, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches.
The appeal states that a ceasefire is imperative as a first step, adding, ?It is time for the leaders of the nations, working through the United Nations, to bring to bear the full force of their influence? for peace.
?We are shocked by the relentless violence, death and devastation occurring in Lebanon, Israel and Palestine. We mourn the loss of life. We abhor the untold human costs of this conflict, especially its impact on innocent people.
?We deplore the destruction of infrastructure and property. In the face of tragedy of such magnitude, we affirm that God calls us to do justice, reconcile with our enemies and live together in peace.?
The statement from the church leaders calls on Israel and Hezbullah to end the fighting in Lebanon and for the United States, the European Union and the Arab States to do their part to bring an end to the fighting. It also calls upon Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza.
?Whatever the reality of the alleged provocations by both sides of the conflict, this spiral of violence serves no end but the devastation of Lebanon and the inflicting of wounds of terror in Israel.
?Neither the terror of Katyusha rockets nor the destruction of Lebanese homes, schools and villages can contribute to a lasting peace in the region. Such acts will lead to even deeper hatred between the parties than that which has fueled the current violence,? the appeal states.
The full statement follows.
August 8, 2006
A joint appeal by the leaders of the World Council of Churches Lutheran World Federation World Alliance of Reformed Churches
A CALL TO END THE VIOLENCE
As followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, and as leaders of the World Council of Churches and the worldwide fellowships of Lutheran and Reformed churches, we are shocked by the relentless violence, death, and destruction devastation occurring in Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. We mourn the loss of life We abhor the untold human costs of this conflict, especially its impact on innocent people. We deplore the destruction of infrastructure and property. In the face of tragedy of such magnitude, we affirm that God calls us to do justice, reconcile with our enemies, and live together in peace.
We call upon Israel and Hezbullah to end the fighting in Lebanon, and we call upon the United States, the European Union, and the Arab States to exercise their influence toward this end.
We call upon the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza.
The number of Lebanese deaths approaches 1,000, one-third of them reportedly children under 12, and the number of Israeli deaths moves toward 100. Whatever the reality of the alleged provocations by both sides of the conflict, this spiral of violence serves no end but the devastation of Lebanon, and the inflicting of wounds of terror in Israel. Neither the terror of Katyusha rockets nor the destruction of Lebanese homes, schools, and villages can contribute to a lasting peace in the region. Such acts will lead to even deeper hatred between the parties than that which has fueled the current violence.
The Israelis have declared that they will continue military operations in Lebanon until there is a ?peacekeeping force? on the ground. Hezbullah, in return, declares that they will not stop fighting until all Israeli military presence has left Lebanon. It is time for this intransigence by both parties to end. Israel must withdraw speedily from all the Lebanese territory, and Hezbullah, at the same time, must cease its actions against the Israeli people.
Close to 175 Palestinians, many of them civilians, have been killed since Israel began military operations in the Gaza Strip. The devastation of the infrastructure of Gaza brings added hardship to people who already have nothing. The people of Israel know the terror of random rockets launched day and night.
While it is true that terms for a lasting peace cannot be reached in a brief time frame, the world cannot wait for signs of ?a new Middle East? to stop the killing. It is time for the leaders of the nations, working through the United Nations, to bring to bear the full force of their influence. A cease-fire is an imperative first step to end the violence. . As people of faith, we implore all parties, in God?s name, to agree to this, lest violence spread further through a region already stained with the blood of innocents.
When a cease-fire is achieved, we call the leaders of nations and other parties to begin the work for a compassionate order that will lead to a lasting peace. Our organizations and our churches are eager to share in that endeavor. The task is great and the way is hard, for fear must be overcome with faith, hate with trust, enmity with reconciliation, and injustice with justice. But it is a task worthy of our efforts and it is the way that leads to life.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Rev. Samuel Kobia General Secretary World Council of Churches
Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick President World Alliance of Reformed Churches
Bishop Mark Hanson President Lutheran World Federation
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The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) brings together 75 million Reformed Christians in 218 churches in 107 countries * united in their commitment to making a difference in a troubled world. The WARC general secretary is Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. WARC?s secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Contact: John P. Asling Executive Secretary, Communications World Alliance of Reformed Churches 150 Route de Ferney P.O. Box 2100 1211 Geneva, Switzerland tel. +41.22 791 6243 fax: +41.22 791 6505 web: www.warc.ch