wfn.org | NCC Assembly looks for peace 'out of the ashes'

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 20, 2001 News media contact: Linda Bloom7(212) 870-38037New York
10-71B{545}

NOTE: A sidebar story, #546,  is available for use with this story. 

By United Methodist News Service*

Expressing the hope for peace with justice, the National Council of Churches
(NCC) General Assembly has issued a statement, "Out of the Ashes and Tragedy
of Sept. 11, 2001."

The statement was adopted during the assembly's annual meeting Nov. 13-15 in
Oakland, Calif. United Methodists were among the delegates from the NCC's 36
Protestant and Orthodox member communions.

Delegates lamented the suffering, death and grief caused by the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks in the United States. "In the shadow of the events of
recent weeks, we give thanks that the magnitude of the loss of life and
human suffering - as profound as that loss has been - has been matched by
the generosity of spirit and the humanitarian response," they added.

At the same time, concern was expressed over attacks on people of Middle
Eastern and Central and Southern Asian background and the detention of some
people "presumably because of possible linkages to terrorist activities."
They also expressed alarm that "as violence escalates, the pre-existing
humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan reaches horrendous proportions."

Delegates stopped short of calling for an immediate end to the bombing
campaign in Afghanistan, instead calling "for an early end to the bombing
campaign and for all parties to collaborate with the international community
to discern nonviolent means that may be available by which to bring to
justice those who terrorize the nations of the world."

The three-page statement urges governments to ensure the protection of human
rights and fundamental freedoms; encourages the U.S. government to work
within the framework of the United Nations to establish the institutions of
a post-war Afghan government; and calls upon the United States to make a
"long-term commitment to the region with a view to promoting harmonious
relationships, economic development and lasting peace."

The full statement can be found at www.ncccusa.org, the NCC's Web site.

In other business, assembly delegates:

7	Installed Elenie Kl Huszagh of Nehalem, Ore., an attorney and
prominent lay member of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, as the
council's 21st president.

7	Supported the council's advocacy for improvements in three
government programs crucial to low-income people - Temporary Assistance to
Needy Families, the food stamp program and the Child Care and Development
Block Grant - that come up for reauthorization in 2002.

7	Announced winners of the NCC's Bible Translation and Utilization
Committee scholarships for the 2001-2002 school year, including Mitz J.
Smith of the African Methodist Episcopal Church as recipient of the United
Methodist Bishop Melvin G. Talbert Scholarship.
# # #

*Information for this story was supplied by NCC News.

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