Church leaders address violence in Liberia  Nov. 8, 2004 NEW
YORK (UMNS) – Interfaith leaders helped restore calm after a recent
eruption of violence in Liberia, according to humanitarian sources. After the late October burning of several churches, mosques and schools in the Redlight
and Jacob Town areas outside Monrovia, Christian and Muslim religious
leaders quickly met, then visited five area radio stations and in
broadcasts called for calm and cessation to further violence and
burnings. The leaders also met with United Nations Mission
in Liberia officials, who then increased security in the affected
areas, according to Benjamin Dorme Lartey, head of the Liberian Council
of Churches. The
source of the violence, initially reported as possible Muslim-Christian
conflicts, has now been attributed to other disputes. "We nonetheless
commend the Liberian Council of Churches and the Inter-Religious Council
of Liberia for taking the lead in helping end this unrest and averting
the development of future conflict between Muslims and Christians," said
Moses Ole Sakuda, associate director of the Church World Service
Mission Relationships and Witness Program. "I
just don’t know what triggered the recent fighting," said Liberian
United Methodist Bishop John G. Innis, while in the United States for a
Council of Bishops meeting Oct. 30-Nov. 5. "Conflict or war is like a
disease . . . it comes, but it takes time for healing to take place, so
we are of the opinion in Christ that the situation will one day come
under control. There will be total peace in our country, but before
peace comes, we have to go through some tough times."
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A UMNS photo by Mike DuBoseUnited Methodist Bishop John G. Innis of Liberia says he doesn�t know what triggered recent fighting in his country. |
United
Methodist Bishop John G. Innis of Liberia says he doesn�t know what has
triggered recent fighting in his country. �Conflict or war is like a
disease . . . it comes, but it takes time for healing to take place, so
we are of the opinion in Christ that the situation will one day come
under control. There will be total peace in our country, but before
peace comes, we have to go through some tough times,� Innis said. Innis
was in the United States for a meeting of the Council of Bishops at St.
Simons Island, Ga. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose. Photo number 04-509,
Accompanies UMNS #525,
11/8/04 |
Despite the new
violence, the United Methodist Committee on Relief continues the
demobilization of former soldiers without interruption. At camps near
the city -- established in March with a grant from the United Nations
Development Program -- the United Methodist humanitarian aid agency has
supervised activities leading to the reintegration of some 23,000
combatants who fought in the 14-year civil war. While activity at one
camp has concluded, UMCOR officials said a second camp would remain open
until March 2005.Demobilization
is critical in stabilizing and reintegrating ex-combatants who, through
Liberia’s years of turmoil, may have known little outside of life as
members of a violent fighting force. The term "ex-combatant" refers to
former soldiers as well as to cooks, porters, and others who accompanied
them, often by force, during the civil crisis in Liberia. Camp
activities are geared to prepare residents for next steps in their
return home. Following their stay at the camp, participants move on to
job and skills training and other aspects of their reentry into
community life. UMCOR also won a U.N. grant to offer vocational training
to about 1,300 former soldiers. Contributions
to UMCOR’s work in Liberia should be designated for Advance #150300,
Liberia Emergency. Donations can be dropped in church collection plates
or mailed to UMCOR at 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115. Donors
making credit card donations may call toll free (800) 554-8580. News media contact: Linda Bloom · (646)369-3759 · New York · E-mail: newsdesk@umcom.org
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