wfn.org | German Methodists address Bush on issues

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April 17, 2001	News media contact: Linda Bloom*(212) 870-3803*New York
10-21-71B{183}

By United Methodist News Service

United Methodists in Germany are urging U.S. President George W. Bush to
oppose capital punishment and reconsider decisions on the environment.

Writing on behalf of the executive committee of the United Methodist Germany
Central Conference, Bishop Walter Klaiber pointed out that decisions made by
the U.S. government and its top leader affect the entire world.

"Many people in our United Methodist Church have great expectations, knowing
that a faithful Christian and devoted United Methodist has taken over
responsibility for this office (U.S. president)," Klaiber wrote in the April
11 letter. "But they also have great concerns recognizing that there are
many important issues in which positions held by you and your administration
differ from what United Methodists firmly believe."

One of those issues is capital punishment. German United Methodists wanted
to remind President Bush that the church's Social Principles firmly oppose
capital punishment. That stance was reaffirmed in a resolution passed by the
2000 General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body.

Klaiber wrote that United Methodists in other countries, as well as those
from autonomous Methodist churches, are "deeply grieved" and embarrassed by
the "immoral practice" of capital punishment in many states in the United
States.

"Therefore, Mr. President, we urge you to revise your position on capital
punishment according to our Social Principles," the letter stated.

German United Methodists also expressed disappointment and sorrow over the
Bush Administration's decisions on certain environmental issues, especially
the reduction of the emission of carbon dioxide gas. They asked for
reconsideration on decisions related to the Kyoto Protocol and related
issues.

"Please, Mr. President," Klaiber wrote, "do not look only at the well-being
of the industry of the United States, but take into your consideration also
the necessity to preserve the resources for the life of coming generations
and the struggle for survival of so many people around the globe who have
already begun to suffer severely under the consequences of the changes of
the climate of the earth."  

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United Methodist News Service
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