CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), called on President George W. Bush and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell "to do everything within your power to bring about a cease-fire in the Middle East ... and then work for sustained peace with justice there."
Hanson made the statement in an April 2 letter to Bush. In recent days, armed conflict between Palestinians and Israelis has increased considerably, leaving many dead or injured on both sides. Last week, Israel moved military forces into the occupied territories of the West Bank in response to a rash of suicide bombings by Palestinians.
"As one step toward breaking the cycle of violence and solidifying this cease-fire, I call on the U.S. government to work with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to establish an international presence in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza," Hanson wrote to Bush.
"The events of these past days and weeks make my heart heavy with sorrow: acts of violence followed by retaliation followed by more violence and more retaliation," Hanson's letter said. "And in all of these, innocent people are killed and injured."
In addition, Hanson told Bush that Israeli tanks and soldiers damaged Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, Bethlehem, and destroyed the first floor entrance to the home of the congregation's pastor, the Rev. Mitri Raheb. Both structures are near the Church of the Nativity, recognized by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
Israeli military forces and Palestinians were reported to be engaged in heavy fighting in Bethlehem's Nativity Square April 2.
Hanson asked Bush to remind the parties involved in the conflict of "their international obligations with regard to humanitarian law and human rights standards."
"I know you and Secretary Powell to be men of faith," said Hanson concluding his letter. "I ask you now to be men of peace, especially concerning the Middle East."
Hanson included with his letter an appeal written to Bush by the 11 patriarchs and heads of Christian churches in Jerusalem. Among the signers was the Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine).
The appeal to Bush called on his "Christian conscience" to use his influence to stop the fighting immediately.
"There is wanton indiscriminate killing," the Jerusalem Christian leaders said. "Very many people are deprived of water, electricity, food supplies and basic medical needs. Many of our religious institutions have been invaded and damaged."
The Christian leaders pledged to Bush to "play our part in mediating for the peace and security of all the people of this land, both Israeli and Palestinian." ---
More information about the Middle East and the current conflict there can be found at http://www.elca.org/co/mideast.html on the ELCA Web site.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
