NCC and UMC Bishops call for Peace in Iraq

In a May 11 resolution, the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church called for an end to the cycle of violence between the U.S. and Iraq, and urged United Methodists around the world to pray for peace.

The bishop's statement asked the U.S. government to "request that the United Nations become involved in the transition process to a new Iraqi government" and that a multinational development plan be started for rebuilding Iraq and other Middle Eastern nations.

Last week, the delegates to the UMC General Conference approved a resolution supporting calls for a full investigation into the abuse of Iraqi prisoners and urged for the prisoners to be treated in accordance with the international Geneva Convention.

Also The leaders of the National Council of Churches USA and its 36 Protestant and Orthodox member communions released a letter on Tuesday, May 11, calling for a 'change of course in Iraq.'

"In a sinful world, some of us may hold that there may be times when war is a necessary evil," they wrote. "But Christians should never identify violence against others with the will of God and should always work to prevent and end it."

The NCC encouraged local churches to read the letter aloud in services during the coming month.

Amid the tense standoff between Iraqi militants and American soldiers, the church leaders called for peace and a renunciation of violence. And with the recent reports of prisoner abuse by American soldiers, the NCC reminded the readers that "violence is contrary to the will of God.

Ecumenical Press