Letters and Statements on Iraq

Organization

Faith

Excerpts of statements/articles and links to complete texts

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E
Washington DC 20017-1194 USA
Phone (202) 541-3000
www.nccbuscc.org/

Catholic

Statement on Iraq

13 Nov 2002

As we Catholic Bishops meet here in Washington, our nation, Iraq and the world face grave choices about war and peace, about pursuing justice and security. These are not only military and political choices, but also moral ones because they involve matters of life and death. Traditional Christian teaching offers ethical principles and moral criteria that should guide these critical choices.

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland/ Church of England
35-41 Lower Marsh
London SE1 7SA UK
Phone 44 (0)20 7523 2121
www.ctbi.org.uk/

Church of England

House of Bishops sets high threshold for Iraqi war

The Church of England's House of Bishops has urged the British Government and the international community to continue to pursue all available peaceful means towards resolving the crisis with Iraq. In a submission to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee's ongoing inquiry into the foreign policy aspects of the war against terrorism, the House of Bishops has said that conclusive evidence is lacking of an imminent and specific threat from Iraq to international peace and security.

Churches for Middle East Peace
100 Maryland Ave. NE, # 313
Washington, DC 20002 USA
Phone(202) 488-5613; Fax (202) 554-8223
Email
www.cmep.org/

Ecumenical

Statement by 48 Church Leaders opposing War with Iraq

12 Sep 2002

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States of America
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We, like all Americans, kneel in prayer and remembrance for the tragedy and violence that obliterated the lives of so many people one year ago. As American religious leaders, we have sought during this year to listen, to learn, and to grow in our faith and compassion both for persons in our congregations and also for those many outside of our churches. We applaud your leadership in bringing peoples of disparate faiths together to worship, to mourn, and to move on boldly with our lives - in a more caring fashion and with appreciation for the precious gifts of God given to all humankind. Today, however, we write out of concern that those same precious gifts may be damaged by actions being contemplated by our nation.

The Canadian Council of Churches
159 Roxborough Drive
Toronto ON M4W 1X7 Canada
Phone (416) 972-9494
Fax (416) 927-0405
Email
Website

Ecumenical

Canadian churches cry NO to Iraq war, urge PM to pursue genuine negotiation and resist pressures for invasion

25 Sep 2002

Sixteen prominent church leaders representing a broad spectrum of Canadian church denominations, as well as the ecumenical peace coalition Project Ploughshares and the inter-church justice coalition KAIROS joined together to send an urgent message to Jean Chrétien today, imploring the Prime Minister to resist growing "pressure" in favour of "a new invasion of Iraq".

The Center of Concern
1225 Otis St NE
Washington, DC 20017 USA
Phone (202) 635-2757
Fax (202) 832-9494
Email: coc@coc.org
www.coc.org/

Ecumenical

Jesuit Provincials (USA) Letter on Iraq

19 Oct 2002

Dear President Bush:

As the religious superiors of the 3400 members of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in the United States, we write to express our strong moral reservations about the use of military force in Iraq. We share our government's concern about Iraq's possible possession and use of weapons of mass destruction, but we are not convinced that all means short of war have been exhausted. While a preemptive strike to stop an imminent attack may in theory be argued, we judge war on Iraq at this time to be a preventive war and as such to violate just-war standards and international law.

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
150 route de Ferney,
P.O. Box 2100
Geneva 2 CH-1211 Switzerland
Phone (41-22) 791 6141
Fax (41-22) 710 2387
Email
www.e-alliance.ch/

Ecumenical

"Do not be afraid" - Act for peace

7 Oct 2002

The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is compelled by the Gospel to call upon all churches, related organizations and people of faith to fulfill their role as peacemakers. In your home and workplace, your neighborhood and country act for peace.

The news of the day and escalating tension between the United States and Iraq provide a new sense of urgency. The powers of the world seem to have begun an unstoppable march to war but we must resist, say 'no' and act now.

The Florida Council of Churches
Post Office Box 1747
Lakeland FL 33802-1747 USA
Phone (863) 688-5563-ext 150 1-800-282-8011
Email: Bishop@flumc.org
www.flumc.org/

Ecumenical

Statement from Florida Conference Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker on war with Iraq

16 Sep 2002

Dear Friends in Christ:

Included below is a statement from the Florida Council of Churches* urging President George W. Bush not to commit the armed forces of the United States to war with Iraq for the purpose of deposing the regime of Saddam Hussein. I have joined officials of other Christian communities in signing the statement.

I do not wish to offend President Bush personally or politically. I respect him as both a person and as our president. Because he is a United Methodist Christian, I feel an affection for him and pray for him as he seeks to fulfill the burdens of his office.

The Kentucky Council of Churches
2549 Richmond Road, Suite 302
Lexington Kentucky 40509 USA
Phone (859) 269-7715
Fax (859) 269-1240
Email
Website

Ecumenical

Resolution on Question of War Against Saddam Hussein and Iraq

18 Oct 2002

Whereas the ecumenical movement has stated since the end of the Second World War that "war is contrary to the will of God" [Amsterdam, First Assembly, World Council of Churches, 1948]; and

Whereas the ecumenical movement has always affirmed that "through [our] reconciliation with God by the cross, [our] reconciliation with one another is possible" [New York, Meeting of the Provisional Committee of the World Council of Churches, 1945];

World Council of Churches, Action by Churches Together, Ecumenical Advocacy
PO Box 2100
1211 Geneva 2 Switzerland
Phone(41 22) 791 6111
Fax(41 22) 791 0361
Email infowcc@wcc-coe.org
Website

Ecumenical

Threatened military action against Iraq - Bulletin

Nov 2002

This issue of Behind the News focuses on the voices of Christians around the world who are saying "no" to the possibility of a pre-emptive war, led by the US and supported by the UK, against Iraq. Committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the message of the Gospel, churches globally are condemning military action against Iraq as illegal, immoral and unwise. Given the news of the day and the reality of a world filled with fear and talk of war, there is a renewed sense of urgency for a clear message of peace and reconciliation to counter the language of war.

The Episcopal Church
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017 USA
Email

Episcopal

A place of hope
Standing in the diverse center

October 29, 2002

"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.." At the conclusion of a recent meeting of the House of Bishops in Cleveland, Ohio these haunting words from W. B. Yeats's poem The Second Coming came vividly to mind, not because they were true but because I had just experienced the exact opposite.

On the last evening in Cleveland a group of newly ordained bishops asked me to join their end-of-day conversation. I did so, eager to hear some of their reflections on what we had been about for nearly a week.

Bread for the World
50 F Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20001 USA
Phone (202) 639-9400 / (202) 639-9401
Email: Email
www.bread.org/

Interfaith

Statement on War against Iraq

The United States is headed toward war against Iraq. President Bush says that the situation is urgent and the United States should undertake military action against Iraq soon and, if necessary, unilaterally. To bolster his efforts to secure support from Congress, the president also announced a new national security policy that shifts away from the deterrence doctrine guiding U.S. foreign policy for more than 50 years, stresses U.S. military pre-eminence, and allows U.S. political leaders to take a first-strike, pre-emptive, go-it alone-if-necessary approach toward governments deemed threatening.

National Council of Churches
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880
New York NY 10115 USA
Phone (212) 870-2227
Fax: (212) 870-2030
www.ncccusa.org/

Interfaith

NCC Board Asks Bush to "Move, Even Now, Away from War"

Elenie K. Huszagh,

8 Oct 2002

The National Council of Churches Executive Board, meeting here October 7-8, unanimously approved a letter to President George Bush urging him to "reverse the momentum toward war." The Board is made up of leaders from the NCC's 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member denominations, which comprise 50 million adherents.

Accompanying the letter were many of the denominational and ecumenical statements against war that have been issued in recent weeks -- correspondence that has been indexed at

The letter follows:

Dear Mr. President:

Meeting today in New York City as the Executive Board of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., we gather from our thirty-six member communions representing a wide diversity of Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican churches.

Middle East Church Leader Pleads for Diplomacy, Not War

29 Oct 2002

The General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches has issued a plea to U.S. churches to press for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution of the Iraq crisis and to "speak to your government to stop any military offensive."

"If war takes place against Iraq," said the Rev. Dr. Riad Jarjour, "the whole region will be in chaos. We are all scared. Help us survive with dignity."

He also called on U.S. Christians to press for third-country mediation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and to continue to work to build understanding and respect among Christians and Muslims.

With 'Prayer and Faxing' - What Makes America Strong: A Litany for Peace

Carol Bragg

25 Sep 2002

One of the important lessons we must learn from September 11 is that American citizens cannot leave decisions about national or global security to policymakers in Washington or to the corporations. Whatever else we do in our lives- whether we are active in community service, working for social justice in our neighborhoods, or raising a family- we must also find time to help shape this country's role in the world.

Dr. Martin Luther King called us "to redeem the soul of America" by eradicating racism, poverty and militarism in the world, not by eradicating Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. No soul is redeemed through acts of violence.

National Council of Churches in Australia
Level 6, 379 Kent St Sydney 2000
Locked Bag 199
Sydney, Australia
Phone (+61) 2 9299 2215
Fax (+61) 2 9262 4514
info@ncca.org.au
www.ncca.org.au/

Interfaith

Churches express concern to PM over Iraq 

29 Aug 2002

"The possibility of a US led attack on Iraq and Australia's involvement in such a conflict fills us with much disquiet: such action could have catastrophic consequences.

If such an attack takes place, the lives of many Iraqi citizens will be put at risk. It is a cause of deep distress that the threat of military action seriously devalues the lives of all people in countries such as Iraq, who are already suffering severely from harsh leadership and the economic impact of extreme sanctions and bombardments.

The Churches Center for Theology and Public Policy
4500 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20016 USA
Phone (202) 885-8648
Fax (202) 885- 8559
Email nrdi@wesleysem.edu
www.nrdi.org/

Interfaith

Nuclear Reduction/Disarmament Initiative

We, the following Christian ethicists, share a common moral presumption against a preemptive war on Iraq by the United States.

The Interfaith Alliance
1331 H Street, NW, 11th Floor
Washington, DC 20005 USA
Phone (202) 639-6370
Fax(202) 639-6375
Email tia@interfaithalliance.org
www.interfaithalliance.org/

Interfaith

Interfaith Statements About War in Iraq

The views of people of faith and their religious communities vary widely on the question of military action in Iraq. Below you will find statements of religious leaders both condemning and supporting the President's proposal of a pre-emptive military attack.

The Jewish Week
1501 Broadway, Suite 505
New York NY 10036 USA
Phone (212) 921-7822
Fax (212) 921-8420
www.thejewishweek.com/

Jewish

Rabbis Speak out on Iraq

Julie Wiener

27 Sep 2002

At a time when most Jewish leaders are remaining fairly quiet about a potential U.S. war with Iraq, the head of the Conservative movement is staking out a forceful position against it.

Calling a unilateral war a calamitous policy, Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, chancellor of the movement's Jewish Theological Seminary, says the U.S. should act only if it has the backing of the United Nations.

The Shalom Center
6711 Lincoln Drive
Philadelphia PA 19119 USA
Phone (215) 844-8494
Email: Shalomctr@aol.com www.shalomctr.org/

Jewish

War against Iraq - Rushing or Reflecting?

Links to a series of articles on war with Iraq

Thinking Hanukkah: Light in a Time of Darkness, Hope in a Time of Despair

Call to a Communal Fast to Avert Calamity

Rabbi Arthur Waskow

30 Oct 2002

Union of American Hebrew Congregations
633 Third Avenue
New York NY 10017-6778 USA
Phone (212) 650.4221
Email: EGrotta@uahc.org uahc.org/

Jewish

Executive Committee Decision on Unilateral Action by the U.S. Against Iraq

Russell Silverman

23 Sep 2002

TO: The Leadership of UAHC Congregations

We write to inform you of the position adopted by a wide margin (45-10, representing over 900 congregations) at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the UAHC Board of Trustees with regard to the possibility of a war with Iraq.

Lutheran Peace Fellowship
1710 11th Ave
Seattle WA 98122-2420 USA
Phone:(206) 720-0313
Email: lpf@ecunet.org www.lutheranpeace.org/

Lutheran

Statements from Religious Leaders About Iraq

We respectfully urge you to step back from the brink of war and help lead the world to act together to fashion an effective global response to Iraq's threats that conforms with traditional moral limits on the use of military force. US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Letter to President Bush, Sept. 13, 2002

An Appeal from Lutheran Peace Fellowship

Our nation has moved another step closer to war with Iraq. Congress by a 2 to 1 margin voted in favor of resolution to give Pres. Bush authority to "use all means that he determines to be appropriate" to "restore international peace and security in the region." Pres. Bush needs no more authority to proceed with military attacks on Iraq. But this is not the last word for those of us who do not want war.

Lutheran World Relief
700 Light Street
Baltimore MD 21230 USA
Phone: (410) 230-2700
Fax: (410) 230-2882
Email: lwr@lwr.org
www.lwr.org/

Lutheran

Iraq Crisis: Pray Peace, Send Hope

22 Oct 2002

War clouds gather over Iraq and darken the entire Middle East. In any new conflict there, people already vulnerable from past injustices will suffer the most. They are refugees, the displaced, poor families, the elderly, the sick, and communities crippled by violence - in Iraq and in neighboring countries.

Mennonite Central Committee
21 South 12th St, PO Box 500
Akron PA 17501-0500 USA
(717) 859-1151
Email: mailbox@mcc.org www.mcc.org/

Mennonite

Sanctioning Unsmart Sanctions

4 Jun 2002

Edward Miller

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- There is an unlikely new phrase spoken with scorn on the streets of Baghdad: "Resolution

1409." Passed by the United Nations Security Council on May 14 and officially adopted on May 30, this resolution is the USA's magic "smart sanctions" answer to the criticism it has endured over the years on its sanctions policy against Iraq.

Determining the Fate of Iraq: thoughts on the humanitarian and political dimensions

1 Oct 2002

John Rempel

Finally the brinkmanship between the governments of the United States and Iraq concerning the fate of Iraq's people has the world's attention. An enormous amount has been written on this subject in recent months

Therefore, I shall restrict myself to comments on the state of the Oil for Food (OFF) program and a description of Security Council (SC) dynamics from the vantage point of an NGO

Magnificent Art in War's Dark Shadow - Baghdad Diary

6 Oct 2002

Edward Miller

BAGHDAD, Iraq - "Throughout history, Mesopotamia has been referred to as the 'Cradle of Civilization' and its art, treasured in museums worldwide, is praised as one of the greatest achievements of mankind. Today Iraqi art forms an important facet of the kaleidoscope of global contemporary art to which the artists contribute with a diverse yet distinct vocabulary formed by their unique artistic, cultural and religious roots."(Strokes of Genius... Contemporary Iraqi Art, Iraqi art promotion group)

Mennonite Central Committee Canada
134 Plaza Drive
Winnipeg MB R3T 5K9 Canada
(204) 261-6381

Mennonite

MCC Petition Calls on Canadian Government to Avoid War with Iraq

29 Oct 2002

WINNIPEG, Man. -- More than two thousand people across Canada have added their names to a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) petition against Canada's military involvement in a potential war against Iraq, and more are expected to sign.

The petition, containing 2,300 signatures, urges Prime Minister Jean Chrétien "to make every effort to dissuade the US from undertaking such a war and, if that is not possible, then at least to withhold Canadian support." It points to the human suffering, increased global instability, and potential for increased violence that war would bring.

United Methodist Church
100 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington DC 20002 USA
Phone (202) 488-5600
Email gbcs@umc-gbcs.org www.umc-gbcs.org/

Methodist

Bush Urged to Turn Back From War

Jim Winkler

30 Aug 2002

The following is a statement of General Secretary Jim Winkler of The United Methodist Church General

Board of Church and Society:

The Bush administration has declared its intent to launch a war against Iraq, ignoring the advice of its allies, many members of Congress, key experts, and millions of U.S. citizens. With unprecedented disregard for democratic ideals and with an astonishing lack of evidence justifying such a pre-emptive attack, the President has all but given the order to fire.

Muslim Public Affairs Council
3010 Wilshire Boulevard, # 217
Los Angeles CA 90010 USA
Phone (213) 383-3443
Fax (213) 383-9674
Email: salam@mpac.org www.mpac.org/

Muslim

Muslim Public Affairs Council Statement on Iraq

13 Sep 2002

The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) consistently takes a stand against dictators around the world, including Saadam Hussein. MPAC feels that the Iraqi people -- who have been suffering under dictatorship and sanctions -- do not need to be subjected to further suffering in the trial to remove dictatorship by foreign intervention.

We feel that the invasion of Iraq may rally the people around the dictator and in turn cause more suffering. Our country supported democratic change in Romania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union, which succeeded in the removal of totalitarian regimes without our direct military intervention.

American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1479
Phone: (215)-241-7060    Fax: (215)-241-7275
Email: jshields@afsc.org    www.afsc.org/

Quaker

AFSC MOBILIZES THOUSANDS, TARGETS SENATORS TO HEED GROWING PUBLIC OPPOSITION AND VOTE AGAINST WAR
National Quaker Peace Group Alerts Over 80,000 Supporters Across Nation in Massive Grassroots Campaign

Philadelphia, PA - In response to President Bush's speech defying world opinion and pressuring Congress to pave the way for a war with Iraq, the American Friends Service Committee (www. afsc.org) has launched a grassroots campaign across Pennsylvania and the nation to mobilize over 80,000 supporters to urge their Senators to oppose the Bush War Resolution currently before Congress.

THOUSANDS TAKE TO THE STREETS
TO PROTEST PRESIDENT'S CALL TO WAR
Bush's push to war an "affront to America's core beliefs in justice and morality"

DAYTON, OH - Thousands from across the Midwest took to the streets in Cincinnati, Ohio, last night, October 7, protesting President Bush's address to the nation at Cincinnati's Museum Center. 

Approximately 4,000-5,000 people from across five states lined the streets leading up to a police barricade near the entrance to the Museum Center where the President spoke. Protesters carried signs and chanted while passersby in cars indicated their approval by honking car horns in support.

THOUSANDS TO PROTEST PRESIDENT'S CALL TO WAR
Bush's push to war an "affront to America's core beliefs in justice and morality"
Cincinnati Protest Rally begins at 6:30 p.m.

DAYTON, OH - Thousands from across the Midwest will gather in Cincinnati, Ohio, tonight, October 7, to protest the call to war President Bush is expected to make during his address to the nation at Cincinnati's Museum Center.  Laurel Park, on Ezzard Charles Drive between Linn Street and Central Parkway will be a gathering space, with additional pickets forming near the Museum Center.  The rally will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Private prayers for peace will also be held at St. Joseph Church across the street from Laurel Park.

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE STATEMENT AGAINST WAR WITH IRAQ

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The American Friends Service Committee urges the United States to pursue diplomatic solutions to the crisis in Iraq through the United Nations. This crisis can only be solved through the international community working together. Military force, especially undertaken alone, will only make matters worse.

As Quakers, the principle of plain speech tells us that by any other name a push for "regime change" in Iraq is simply a call to overthrow a government. We have a responsibility to support the United Nations and an obligation to live within its mandates. We believe that the sovereignty of every country should be respected.

Joint Statement in Response to Threat of War with Iraq

From the General and Executive Secretaries of Five Quaker Organizations
Ninth Month 24, 2002

"I told them that I lived in the virtue of that life and power that took away the occasion of all wars.I told them I was come into the covenant of peace which was before wars and strife were..."
George Fox, Founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), 1651.

The United States government stands on the verge of launching a major war against Iraq. At the same time, U.S. political leaders are promulgating a doctrine that asserts the United States' right to launch unilateral, preemptive military strikes on any nation or group to counter a perceived threat. The peace and security of all peoples are threatened by these developments.

American Friends Service Committee
P.O. Box 7445, Old Town Station, Albuquerque, NM 87194
Phone: 505-842-7343
Email: dlujan@afsc.org

Quaker

Response to A Resolution requesting the governing body to protest the contemplated war on iraq:

Dear Mayor Delgado and Council members of the City of Santa Fe:

Thank you for the opportunity to express our support of this resolution requesting the governing body to protest the contemplated war on Iraq. We commend this resolution. Those who speak for peace risk being called "unpatriotic" and worse, as reflected in statements by the President such as "you are either with us, or against us." The City Council's eloquent resolution offers a calm alternative to the polarizing language being used in Washington.

Response to A Resolution Supporting the Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties For Santa Feans:

Dear Mayor Delgado and Council members of the City of Santa Fe:

First, thank you for the opportunity to respond to this resolution supporting the Bill of Rights and Civil Liberties for Santa Feans. This resolut