What Does War Have to Do With It?

U.S. Church Leaders, in Rome,  Ask Pope to Address Security Council -- NCC News Service

February 26, 2003, ROME, Italy - A U.S. church leaders delegation delivered a plea to Pope John Paul II today (Feb. 26) that he come to New York to address the U.N. Security Council "and, in so doing, address the U.S. public" on his opposition to war with Iraq.

The Feb. 26-27 delegation visit to Rome is the fourth organized by the National Council of Churches USA to European member countries of the Security Council. Earlier delegations met with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Berlin, British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London and the French Foreign Ministry in Paris. A fifth delegation to Moscow March 3-5 has an appointment with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

Describing the delegation’s message to a reporter, William Boyd Grove of Charleston, W. Va., a retired United Methodist Bishop, said U.S. churches are putting "an enormous amount of energy" toward averting the war on Iraq….A great majority of U.S. churches are opposing the war and seeking to find another way to resolve the conflict with Iraq. Taking this opportunity to make that known is important, because sometimes the people overseas don’t understand the churches’ opposition to the war in Iraq."

Asked why averting war with Iraq is a priority for American Christians, "We said it’s the highest form of patriotism in a democratic society to express your views, and the most sincere form of Christian fidelity to work for peace," said the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, NCC Deputy General Secretary, New York, a minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Hosted in Rome by the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, the six-member delegation also met today with Fabio Mussi, the Vice President of Italy’s Congress, and a Deputy Minister, Valdo Stini, an active Waldensian churchman. Thursday’s schedule includes a news conference, meetings with church leaders and worship at a Baptist church.

During today’s public audience with Pope John Paul II, the delegation handed the Pope a letter that expresses "deep gratitude for all the Vatican is doing to avert a war in Iraq."

"Your voice, however, has barely been captured by the media in the United States," the letter says. Acknowledging the burden that coming to the United Nations would place on the Pope’s frail health, they express their "desperation" and write, "(E)levating your moral voice could make all the difference … in helping the U.S. pull back from the brink of war."

Father Joe Nangle of Washington, D.C., a Franciscan representing Pax Christi USA on the delegation, presented the letter to the Pope. The letter, signed by Dave Robinson, National Coordinator, Pax Christi USA, supports a request from Pax Christi International. The National Council of Churches’ Executive Board on February 25 unanimously endorsed the request.

Reported Father Nangle, "When we approached the Pope we made our pitch. It’s almost like a sound bite. You don’t have much time. It’s an emotional moment and you hope that you get your message through. We hope that your prayers will be with us and with him as he hears those pleas."

During the papal audience the peace concerns of other people in attendance were not far away, reported Dr. Lindner. "On two occasions people cried out ‘Give peace a chance’ or ‘Stand for peace,’" she said.

Mr. Mussi and Mr. Stini are "both quite outspoken and known for their position" against using force against Iraq, said Rev. Dr. Victor Makari, Coordinator for the Middle East and Europe, Presbyterian Church (USA), Louisville, Ky.

"They spoke bluntly and at great length to make the point that, if this war is launched, there will be incalculable damage and irreparable damage, beyond anyone’s ability to calculate, and it will be generations and generations before it will be repaired, if ever.

"They said it would break up the United Nations because it would be the will of one country against the other nations of the international community," Dr. Makari said. "It would divide Europe -- a division we can’t afford to have especially after so many years of working for union. It would marginalize the European Union and create huge internal and religious problems especially in countries where there are significant Muslim minorities. And it would set West against East and East against West."

Commented delegation member, the Rev. Dr. Tyrone Pitts, General Secretary, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Washington, D.C., "I am really energized by the meeting with Mr. Mussi and Mr. Stini. We must go back to the United States and be very clear about the immorality of this war."

Also on the delegation is the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord, Office of Ecumenicity, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Calif., who communicated the strong opposition to the war of both The Episcopal Church in the United States and the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Thursday morning, the group has appointments with the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and a news conference (at 11:30 a.m., Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy, Via Firenze 38). The schedule also includes lunch with Italian church leaders and public worship, at 6 p.m. at the Baptist Church across the street from the Italian Parliament (Via del Teatro Valle). The delegation returns to the United States on Friday.

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