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British Methodist churches to hear statement on Iraq

2/21/2003

NOTE: The text of a letter to British Methodist churches follows the story.

By United Methodist News Service

Leaders of the British Methodist Church have created a letter about pending military action against Iraq that is to be read in Feb. 23 worship services throughout the United Kingdom. A copy of the letter has been forwarded to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"If military force against Iraq should be judged to be politically necessary, it should be used only as a last resort," the letter states. "It is essential that such action is authorized by a new resolution of the U.N. Security Council."

The Rev. Ian T. White, president of the Methodist Conference, and Professor Peter Howdle, vice president, say they are often asked about the church's position on the Iraq situation. The threat of war is looming as a result of Iraq's suspected buildup of weapons of mass destruction.

"Since the summer of 2002, we have urged our government to act through the United Nations to give every reasonable opportunity for the government of Iraq to comply with the resolutions of the U.N. Security Council," they write. "The work of the weapons inspectors is crucial. So is continuing diplomatic activity to find a peaceful resolution."

They note that even if the U.N. Security Council authorizes military action against Iraq, the debate will continue. "Methodists have divergent opinions about the motives of various governments and about what should be done," they observe. "We must listen patiently to one another, however deep our feelings run."

Christians will still have the responsibility of making judgments informed by faith and expressing their opinions to elected representatives. "Christian tradition prompts us to listen carefully to a range of ethical positions as we debate together what action should be taken in a situation like the present one," White and Howdle write.

The two religious leaders also express concern about recent increases in religious and racial tension in British society. "Methodists are committed to developing relations of friendship with people of all world faiths," they remind their members. "Methodists do this in the spirit of our founder, John Wesley, who urged his followers to show themselves 'the friends of all, the enemies of none.'" The letter encourages church members to reach out to those of other faiths in their own neighborhoods.

"With all this in mind, we call upon the whole church to pray for all who are involved in the current international crisis," White and Howdle write. "In our prayers we need to remember the many different ways in which people are affected."

# # #


PASTORAL LETTER ON IRAQ FROM THE PRESIDENT
AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE METHODIST CONFERENCE

Please find below the text of a letter written by the President and Vice President of the Methodist Church in Britain about the current crisis over Iraq. This letter was sent yesterday to Methodist ministers to be read out in all Methodist churches across Britain this Sunday, 23 February.

+++

Dear Friends

We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

At the request of the Methodist Council, we write to all members and friends of the Methodist Church in Britain at this critical juncture in international affairs. We shall also copy this letter to the Prime Minister.

We are aware of deep feelings of anxiety in all sections of British society at the prospect of the possible use of military force against Iraq. Many Methodists have asked us where our Church stands on such momentous issues and this is our current position:

Since the summer of 2002 we have urged our Government to act through the United Nations to give every reasonable opportunity for the government of Iraq to comply with the resolutions of the UN Security Council. The work of the Weapons Inspectors is crucial. So is continuing diplomatic activity to find a peaceful resolution.

If military force against Iraq should be judged to be politically necessary, it should be used only as a last resort. It is essential that such action is authorised by a new resolution of the UN Security Council.

We invite Methodists to consider the following matters as we all continue to think about the developing situation.

1. Complex international crises always provoke heated arguments and conflicts of political and economic judgment. Methodists have divergent opinions about the motives of various governments and about what should be done. We are often frustrated because we do not have enough information. We must listen patiently to one another, however deep our feelings run.

2. Even if the UN were to authorise military action in relation to Iraq, that will not bring the debate to an end. Christians will still have the responsibility of making judgments which are informed by our faith, and of pressing their case with their elected representatives and with the government.

3. The Christian tradition prompts us to listen carefully to a range of ethical positions as we debate together what action should be taken in a situation like the present one.

Some in the Church are pacifists, who believe that there can never be a moral justification for war or military action.

Others in the Church, probably the majority, believe that military action may be supported, as the lesser of evils and as a last resort, under certain strict conditions. For those who adopt this position, there will still be questions to explore, for example:

* Is there a just cause for military action?
* Has every other means of resolving the crisis been tried?
* Are the aims of military action likely to result in greater justice and security?
* Is there a reasonable expectation that overall the good will outweigh the evil that will inevitably result from military action?

One of our deepest concerns in recent months has been the increase in religious and racial tension in British society. Methodists are committed to developing relations of friendship with people of all world faiths. Methodists do this in the spirit of our founder, John Wesley, who urged his followers to show themselves 'the friends of all, the enemies of none'. We invite you today to take a fresh initiative to offer the hand of friendship to members of other faith communities in your neighbourhood.

With all this in mind we call upon the whole Church to pray for all who are involved in the current international crisis. In our prayers we need to remember the many different ways in which people are affected.

Lord of all -
May your wisdom
enable the search for justice,
Your light
reveal the path of hope,
And your love
embrace the world you created.
In these days of tension and uncertainty,
May your gift of peace
be shared with all people.

The peace of the Lord be with you and with all people. We shall continue to pray for you.

The Reverend Ian T White, President of the Methodist Conference
Professor Peter Howdle, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference

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