wfn.org | Adventists Rejects Use of Violence in Balkan Region

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

April 13,1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland 

Seventh-day Adventist Church Rejects Use of 
Violence in Balkan Region

Silver Spring, Maryland, USA - In response to the 
on-going crisis in the Balkans, the Seventh-day 
Adventist Church released on April 6 a statement 
rejecting the use of violence for conflict 
resolution, re-affirming its non-political 
stance, committing itself to its on-going 
mission of humanitarian aid, urging a negotiated 
settlement, and calling for prayers for peace. 
The full text of the Statement follows, 
released by the Office of Public Affairs at the 
Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters:

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH STATEMENT ON CRISIS 
IN KOSOVO

The Seventh-day Adventist Church expresses its 
grave concern regarding the situation in 
Yugoslavia, in particular in the Kosovo province.  
While being concerned about the well-being of its 
many members and operation of its church 
organisation in this part of the world, the Church 
is even more concerned about the worsening 
humanitarian situation in Kosovo and elsewhere in 
the region, with hundreds of thousands of 
displaced and homeless people.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a world-wide 
religious community and, as a matter of principle, 
endeavours not to be involved in political issues.  
The Church has consistently refused to do so and 
intends to maintain this position in the current 
crisis centering on Kosovo.  Nevertheless, 
it rejects the use of violence as a method for 
conflict resolution, be it ethnic cleansing or 
bombing. 

With the Church's long tradition of working 
actively and quietly for human rights, including 
in particular religious freedom and the rights of 
minorities, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is 
ready to do its part.  The Church will endeavour 
to do so through its world  organisational 
structure, in co-operation with the leaders and 
members of the Church in the Balkan region, to 
foster a deeper understanding of and greater 
respect for human rights and non-discrimination, 
to meet crying human needs, and to work for 
reconciliation between national, ethnic, and 
religious communities.

In the current crisis, the Seventh-day Adventist 
Church is committed to doing what it can, through 
the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA, 
the humanitarian agency established by the 
Church), to bring relief to the many thousands of 
refugees, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or 
social status, that have fled from the Kosovo 
province into neighbouring states, while also 
closely monitoring the situation and needs of the 
civilian population in Yugoslavia, in and outside 
of Kosovo.  The Church will utilise its 
infrastructure in the region in its relief 
efforts.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church urges the 
international community and government authorities 
involved to push for an early end to the crisis, 
on the basis of Christian, moral and ethical 
principles, of human rights, and good faith 
negotiations that are fair to all concerned and 
which may lead to better relationships.

The Church further asks all its members and the 
faith community in general to pray for divine 
assistance in restoring peace and good will to 
this suffering region.

(c) Copyright 
Adventist Press Service (APD)/
Adventist News Network (ANN) 1999.