NCC General Secretary Reacts to Release of Christian Peacemakers
"Edgar expresses thanks for release of Christian Peacemakers, and thanks Council on American Islamic Relations for support"
I did not at first follow at all the kidnapping of a Christian Peacemakers Team (CPT) in Iraq, nor the execution of journalist Tom Fox. My immediate, unfounded assumption was that this was a missionary group who shouldn't have gotten in the middle of an Islamic civil war. I couldn't have been more wrong. Quoting from the Mission of the CPT, "Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) offers an organized, nonviolent alternative to war and other forms of lethal inter-group conflict. CPT provides organizational support to persons committed to faith-based nonviolent alternatives in situations where lethal conflict is an immediate reality or is supported by public policy." I am humbled by the devotion to religious principle that lead these four into Iraq. Truly Mr. Fox's passing is a martyr's death.
March 23, 2006
Events in Iraq and Afghanistan brought a mixed reaction to Dr. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches USA.
“We lift up prayers of thanksgiving for the rescue of our Christian brothers, Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden,” Edgar said of the three hostages from Christian Peacemaker Teams. “We are also thankful for the courageous men and women of Coalition and Iraqi forces who accomplished this rescue without violence. Our joy is boundless and we greet God’s mercy with humility and awe,” Edgar said in a statement.
His joy was tempered by the mourning expressed earlier this month for CPT member Tom Fox, a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers).
“In the midst of this celebration, we continue to grieve for Tom Fox, the fourth Christian Peacemaker captured by terrorists in Iraq. Tom was brutally tortured and killed by his abductors, who undoubtedly singled him out because he was an American. But Tom was no different than his three friends – a devoted Christian who stood for peace and was an understanding advocate of millions who felt the same bitterness as his murderers,” Edgar said.
Edgar also expressed gratitude for U.S. Muslim groups who spoke against the hostage taking of the CPT members and are speaking out on the trial of an Afghani convert to Christianity.
“We also express our deepest thanks to Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other Muslim groups who have called for Abdul Rahman’s release,” Edgar said. “In the post-9/11 world, CAIR has never hesitated to speak words of conscience and compassion based on their understanding of the Qur'an. ‘Truth stands out clear from error,’ CAIR said recently, quoting Qur'an 2:256. ‘Therefore, whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks,’” he said in his statement.
The Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar heads the oldest ecumenical Christian association in the United States. It consists of 35 member churches from the Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox traditions. Those communions represent 100,000 congregations with 45 million member.
Statement by Bob Edgar on release of the Christian Peacemaking Team members
We lift up prayers of thanksgiving for the rescue of our Christian brothers, Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden. We are also thankful for the courageous men and women of Coalition and Iraqi forces who accomplished this rescue without violence. Our joy is boundless and we greet God’s mercy with humility and awe.
Yet in the midst of this celebration, we continue to grieve for Tom Fox, the fourth Christian Peacemaker captured by terrorists in Iraq. Tom was brutally tortured and killed by his abductors, who undoubtedly singled him out because he was an American. But Tom was no different than his three friends – a devoted Christian who stood for peace and was an understanding advocate of millions who felt the same bitterness as his murderers.
Our prayers also continue for the safety of other gentle and courageous sisters and brothers who stand for peace and God’s love around the world. The Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraq, Africa, Colombia and Palestine, the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, and others routinely go to the world’s trouble spots to place themselves between looming danger and vulnerable innocents. We thank God for those who risk their lives to remind the world that the realm of God is peaceful and just. As Jesus said, greater love has no one.
Statement by Bob Edgar on Muslim support for endangered Christians
The National Council of Churches USA stands with other persons of faith and good will in calling upon the government of Afghanistan to release Abdul Rahman, who faces the death penalty for converting from Islam to Christianity.
We also express our deepest thanks to Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and other Muslim groups who have called for Abdul Rahman’s release. In the post-9/11 world, CAIR has never hesitated to speak words of conscience and compassion based on their understanding of the Qur'an. “Truth stands out clear from error,” CAIR said recently, quoting Qur'an 2:256. “Therefore, whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks.”
CAIR was among the first to call for the release of the Christian Peacemaker Team members in Iraq, they were among the first to urge freedom for captured journalist Jill Carroll and they have consistently spoken words of healing to a world torn by sectarian divisions. Their partnership is a model of interfaith understanding and dialogue. Their rejection of evil and trust in God is a bond we shall forever share.
Thank you for carrying the article ‘NCC General Secretary Reacts to Release of Christian Peacemakers’. It is a great service to connect the mainline churches with religious peace and reconciliation movements.
Lance Woodruff Tamarind House, Bangkok, Thailand