Join millions
of people across the face of the globe who pray for peace. You may wish
to join others in using common prayers, including a special order for ecumenical
worship (http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/iraqpeaceservice.html)
that will be used today at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. (French, Spanish,
and German versions of the service will also be available soon). Many other
resources for prayer are offered by churches on-line.
2.
Speak for peace
Read statements
for peace aloud in your churches, circulate them in your parish, and speak
out individually and together as a community of faith.
Rev. Dr Konrad
Raiser, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, has issued a
statement (http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/iraqstatement.html)
against the war in Iraq. In a reflection (http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/raiser.html)
for an ecumenical prayer service for peace held today at the Ecumenical
Centre in Geneva says “There is no reason to feel discouraged
that [the churches'] voice has not been heard, that the government has even
refused to hear them. Rather, we should celebrate the fact that for the
first time the churches together have placed the commandment of God above
their respective political loyalties. God wills peace for God´s people,
for this world and therefore the institution of war must be overcome, war
must be outlawed as a legally recognized means for resolving civic or interstate
conflicts. The united voice of the churches represents a spiritual power
that the governments will have to recognize."
"The
plight of the Iraqi people weighs heavily on our hearts," says
Thor-Arne Prois, director of the coordinating office of Action by Churches
Together (ACT) International (http://www.act-intl.org/news/dt_nr_2003/nr_iraq0203.html)
- a global alliance of churches and related agencies working in field of
humanitarian relief in Iraq and the Middle East. "Under the present
circumstances, we affirm the long-standing humanitarian principle of unconditional
access to people in need."
On the eve
of war, His Holiness Pope John Paul II led a prayer for peace and a Vatican
spokesperson said, "He who decides that all peaceful means that
international law offers us are exhausted, assumes a great responsibility,
in front of God, his conscience and history." (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/audiences/2003/documents/hf_jp-ii_aud_20030319_en.html)
On March 18,
Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches said, “The
near certainty of war has not changed our vocation as Christians to be peacemakers.
Throughout the past months, churches have risen to this high calling. We
have witnessed for peace and shared our understanding of the biblical basis
for peacemaking… In the gloom of war, let us be guided by the light
of faith and let it shine forth through our words and actions."
(http://www.ncccusa.org/)
3.
Act for peace
Join efforts
around the world to say "no" to war, resist violence, and build
peace with simple and effective actions. Actions can include: speaking to
the media,
expressing your views to government leaders, taking part in vigils, fasts
or public demonstrations, and preaching and teaching peace. http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/behindthenews/bulletin21-annex.html
4.
Help those in need
Wars result
in death, displacement of people, destruction of property and the environment,
and a shortage of supplies to meet basic human needs. Give generously and
contribute to the emergency and disaster relief fund or appeal of your church
and the work it does through the global alliance of Action by Churches Together
(ACT) International (http://www.act-intl.org/act_links_to_members.html).
Your support is vital and your gift can make a lifesaving difference in
providing humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq.
Behind
the News: Visions for Peace - Voices of Faith
focuses on alternative voices and perspectives behind stories in (or conspicuously
absent from) the international news.
highlights statements, ideas and actions that aim to build peace and reconciliation
in situations of conflict and violence.
shares information particularly from churches, ecumenical organizations,
and other faiths, emphasizing different regional perspectives.
Behind the news: Visions for Peace –
Voices of Faith is a joint initiative of:
World Council of Churches (WCC) - a fellowship
of 342 churches, in more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually
all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church
but works cooperatively with the WCC.
Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance - a global
action network of 87 churches and church-related organizations who have
pledged themselves to change unjust policies and practices related to
global trade and HIV/AIDS, and to take up as a special concern work on
peace and conflict resolution by forging strategic partnerships.
Action by Churches Together (ACT) - an
international alliance of churches and relief agencies assisting thousands
of people recovering from emergencies in more than 50 countries worldwide.
This bulletin/website is intended to provide an ecumenical space for visions
for peace and voices of faith; these materials do not necessarily reflect
official policy of WCC, ACT, or EAA.
Please circulate the Bulletin to friends, colleagues and
people who are looking for alternative perspectives on the current situation.
To subscribe to the bulletin, contact WCC Contact
To share resources, reflections or information, contact WCC Contact
Behind the news: Visions for peace –
Voices of faith