What Does War Have to Do With It?

U.S. Church Leaders Meet Blair in Third of Five NCC-Led Peace Delegations  -- NCC News Service

February 18, 2003, LONDON -- U.S. Christian leaders spent 50 minutes with British Prime Minister Tony Blair today (February 18) to convey a message of widespread opposition to war with Iraq and to explore alternatives.

The visit was the third of five urgent meetings with European leaders by delegations organized by the National Council of Churches, New York City.

The ecumenical delegations are finding strong support among European church leaders for the "Win Without War" approach advocated by most major U.S. faith groups.

A February 5 visit to Berlin included a meeting with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. In Paris (Feb.10-11), the delegation met with the French Foreign Ministry. Upcoming are visits to Moscow (March 3-5), including a meeting President Vladimir Putin, and a multi-faith visit to Rome (Feb.25-27).

Following the private meeting with Blair, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church USA, Louisville, Ky., said they had explored alternative approaches including working through the United Nations to empower the Iraqi people, strengthening the process of weapons inspections, dealing deeply with the Palestine question, building global policy which addresses the gap between rich and poor, and building inter faith relations.

Jim Wallis, Executive Director and Editor of Sojourners, Washington, D.C., led the delegation on the NCC's behalf. He said, "American church leaders agree that the threat of Saddam Hussein is very real and that Iraq must be disarmed, but we also believe that the unintended and unpredictable consequences of war could be catastrophic. American and British leaders have reminded the world of how terrible Saddam is, but the churches must remind the world about the realities of war."

Wallis said the Prime Minister had listened to them cordially. They said they believed Britain is in a unique position to influence the decision about War with Iraq, more than any other country in the world. Churches Together in Britain and Ireland facilitated the London visit.

Besides Wallis and Kirkpatrick the delegation included Bishop John Chane, Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C.; Bishop Melvin Talbert, Ecumenical Officer, Council of United Methodist Bishops, Nashville, Tenn.; and the Rev. Dan Weiss, Immediate Past General Secretary, American Baptist Churches USA, Marco Island, Fla. They were joined by British, Middle Eastern and South African church leaders.

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