Proclaiming Peace in a Time of War
Statement from the First Presidency of the Community of
Christ
updated March 21, 2003
The following statement is issued by the First Presidency of the Community
of Christ as guidance to church and community on the war with Iraq. It invites
members of the Community of Christ congregations to individually and
collectively pray for peace in the world, and encourages faithful dialogue and
exploration of the issues surrounding the war.
War has come to Iraq. The Community of Christ, in solidarity with many
religious communities around the world, has in recent weeks urged the leaders
of the United States and its allies to use every possible means to avoid
military action and to seek every peaceful avenue to resolve the conflict. We
grieve as we see the bombings begin and the tanks rolling across the desert.
We are deeply regretful that such an effort, if some national leaders believe
it must occur, is not undertaken with wider international support.
But the war is under way, and the question now is what do people of faith have
to say to a world plunged into armed conflict. We live in a global society in
which any war has victims around the world, affected directly or indirectly by
its consequences. As an international church we represent not just one nation,
but members in approximately fifty nations where we minister.
Our church has dedicated itself to the pursuit of peace. That is not a
statement of political philosophy or even social conscience. It is a divine
call to us as a people, inspiring us to erect a temple as a symbol of our
commitment to peace. Our voices must be those of a people who see in the life
and ministry of Jesus Christ the call to love one another and to discover
pathways of understanding among all of God’s children.
We are not naïve about the political realities of the world in which we
live. We do not condone in any way the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein. To the
contrary we repudiate his violence and the persistent violation of the human
rights of his people. We have no doubt that his removal from office will
benefit the security of his people and the rest of the world.
Despite our belief that peaceful means were still available to resolve the
conflict, we also know that at this time men and women of many countries are
now engaged in military action. We know that they serve courageously and
faithfully in support of their countries. We pray for their protection and
safe return, as well as for the families who sacrifice and wait anxiously
while their loved ones are absent.
We call upon members of the Community of Christ to raise our individual and
collective voices in a fervent prayer for peace. We urge each one to pray that
God will bless the leaders of the world with wisdom and restraint in a
dangerous time. We encourage our people to talk openly and honestly with one
another, sharing diverse views and heartfelt hopes.
It is our faith that God is the creator of all people and loves each person
and each nation without qualification. May we see the face of Jesus Christ in
all of God’s children, including those defined as enemies. May God’s grace
touch each of us with a full measure of love and may our lives and voices be
tirelessly devoted to proclaiming peace in the world.
The First Presidency
Revised 3/21/03
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