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Akron, Pa
MCC urges congregations to protest US-led invasion of Iraq


The Mennonite Central Committee executive committee issued a statement on April 20 calling on North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches to speak out against a potential US-led military invasion of Iraq. The US government is currently trying to drum up international support for a military invasion that would topple the regime of Saddam Hussein.

The MCC statement reads: “We encourage North American Christians to speak out against military invasion. Invasion is drastic and unpredictable. Many lives will be lost. Many communities will be disrupted or destroyed.”

The MCC statement includes several key concerns:

Invasion would likely ruin an already collapsing civilian infrastructure, putting the most vulnerable members of society at risk. Invasion is likely to increase the divide between the West and the Arab world, in part because the Iraqi government’s record is not the only one in the region that is troubling. Because of Sunni, Shia, Kurdish and other divisions within Iraqi society, military invasion might well cause a fragmentation of the country and contribute to regional instability and perhaps other wars. By implying that military force is crucial for political control, international military invasion gives permission to other governments in the region to develop similar policies. When societies go to war they experience intense pressures to solidify national identity. This has worrisome implications for the Christian minorities in Arab societies and for Muslim minorities in the West.

The statement further states: “To speak against invasion and war is not to claim we can confidently offer ideas for a rapid, peaceful resolution to this difficult international crisis, or that we know Western authorities are wrong in their fears about Iraqi authorities’ plans and intentions. To speak against war and invasion is to hold up a conviction that, in light of all uncertainties, peace and security are enlarged when authorities choose the path of non-violent diplomacy. The concerns noted above convince us that this is both a moral and practical path. Our call is also a statement of belief that God wills the path of peace and will work alongside those who have the courage to take risks for peace.

“This is a time of opportunity for our congregations, and all Christian bodies, to hold up the message of peace. We encourage all to pray for governmental leaders in our countries, for patience and wisdom.”

The statement also includes MCC staff that can be contacted:

Bill Janzen at the MCC Ottawa Office for information on Canadian foreign policy and ideas for engaging Canadian governmental thinking on the crisis in Iraq. E-mail bjanzen@mennonitecc.ca. Phone 613-238-7224. John Rempel at the MCC United Nations Office for updated information on UN-related developments. E-mail unoffice@mcc.org. Phone 212-223-4062.

 – from a release

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Last modified July 19, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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