Church leaders, including Kirkpatrick, urge peace initiative

by Carol Fouke
NCC News and Information Office

NEW YORK CITY -- January 21, 2005 -- In a full -page ad in today's national edition of The New York Times, leaders of Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical churches and institutions urge President Bush to have the courage to seize the opportunity and bring his leadership to ending the Israeli -Palestinian conflict.

The 57 signers, including National Council of Churches (NCC) General Secretary Robert Edgar and top leaders of a dozen NCC member churches, begin with their concern for the security and freedom of Israelis and Palestinians. The letter was signed by the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, General Assembly stated of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Then they add an appeal to the security and reputation of the United States itself.

"The Israeli -Palestinian conflict has become a threat to the people of the United States," they write in their open letter to the newly inaugurated President. "Every day the conflict continues, hatred of the United States government is fueled. With each news report of Palestinian suffering . . . popular support in Arab and Muslim countries for terrorism grows and the threat of attacks directed at the United States increases. The continuing conflict has also resulted in suffering and loss of life among Israeli citizens. We want Israelis, too, to live without fear or threat in their own country."

They continue, "A hallmark of your campaign was the commitment to defeat terror and make our country more secure. We believe that the promise of peace in Jerusalem is the best defense against terrorism. We encourage you to maintain the faith, the courage and the resolve to work with other world leaders toward negotiations that guarantee two viable states, Israel and Palestine, living side -by -side and sharing Jerusalem as their capital."

They conclude: "We believe that the promise of peace in Jerusalem is the best defense against terrorism."

Former U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, Robert Seiple, a leader in the evangelical community, said the message of the letter and those who signed it is clear: "Peacemaking is difficult, the ultimate challenge. But it is here where we find out how good we really are. Do we have the courage and the commitment worthy of good people? In the end, this will determine how relevant we will be."

One of the Catholic signers, Sister Christine Vladimiroff, President of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious said, "The ancient, unfulfilled vision of justice for all is now within our reach. It is time for us ---- citizens and elected officials ---- to disarm our hearts, speak a word of hope and bring the blessing of peace to the people in the holy land. 'Let us, then, make it our aim to work for peace and to strengthen one another.' " (Romans 14:19)

Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold of the Episcopal Church had this comment: "Having recommitted himself to a two -state solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace, President Bush has a unique opportunity to make that vision real -- to, as we urged, 'follow the examples of the great prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, who declared that God calls all nations and all people to do justice to one another.' "

The ad, the full text of the letter and a complete list of those signing the letter are available on the web site of Churches for Middle East Peace at www.cmep.org.