Church Leaders Express Concern for Escalating Crisis in Middle East, Browning Urges Openness to Negotiation

Episcopal News Service. August 23, 1990 [90213]

Church leaders around the world are expressing deep concern about the military buildup in the Middle East and the growing possibility of a violent confrontation between Iraq and a multi-national military force led by the United States.

Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning of the Episcopal Church shared a "message of peace" from Bishop Samir Kafity of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. In commending the message to parishes in this country, Browning said he was "squarely behind the content and spirit of Bishop Kafity's statement" because "he properly reminds us that this conflict should be seen in the larger context of generations of disputes still to be resolved throughout the Middle East."

Browning called upon President George Bush "to remain within the mandate of the United Nations as that body seeks to resolve the crisis." He also urged the U.S. government to remain "open to every opportunity for a negotiated and peaceful solution," adding that he hoped national pride would not "obstruct the possibility of negotiation." Such negotiations could "open a door of opportunity to resolve the long-standing disputes referred to by Bishop Kafity," Browning added.

While Browning said that he believes that Saddam Hussein of Iraq must be held accountable for his invasion of Kuwait and for his past aggression against Iran and the use of chemical weapons against the Kurds, he also said that "our government's response must be based on the rule of international law and not simply on self-interest. The well-being and safety of all the people of the Middle East ought to be the first concern of the United Nations and its member states." Browning concluded by saying that "a just solution will, I believe, place the current crisis in the larger context."

Kafity said in his message that he had expected "the current crisis in the Gulf, resulting from historical disputes between Iraq and Kuwait, could have been resolved by peaceful means." Instead, the conflict has "destabilized the region" and resulted in "international turmoil."

In responding to the crisis, Kafity argued, the action "should not be prompted by the price of oil and self-interest, but by the sacred value of human rights and human life." He called on "all Arab nations and governments to come to a peaceful resolution of this crisis" and asked "all nations to respect the charter and decisions of the United Nations." In placing the current crisis in a larger context, Kafity said "all these disputes need the same sense of urgency in resolving them on the basis of truth, justice, and peace."

In closing his statement, Kafity asked that churches pray for "a new era in the Middle East, a time of transformation into a new life lived in faithfulness to God, when hatred is replaced by love, violence by dialogue, condemnation by forgiveness, self-centeredness by sharing and war by peace."

A similar sentiment was expressed by the Rev. Emilio Castro, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC). While supporting the United Nations action in condemning the invasion of Kuwait, Castro said the WCC "is still very eager to see the Arab League go further in its mediation to bring about a swift and just solution to this essentially regional conflict."

Castro said the current crisis is a reminder of the deeper unresolved frustrations and argued that any lasting solutions must take into account "the sentiments, needs, and aspirations of the people of the region who are directly concerned. Effective and permanent political solutions are those which transcend pure economic and strategic interests."

Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Reformed church leaders in Great Britain issued a statement on August 21 expressing deep pastoral concern for those being held against their will in Kuwait and Iraq. The statement called upon churches "to act together in their localities to offer comfort and help to those who are distressed by the plight of their families or their friends."

While urging a ministry of compassion in a time of uncertainty, the statement concluded, "We join men and women of all faiths in praying earnestly that there will be no escalation of the Gulf Crisis into armed conflict, and that there will emerge a just and lasting peace in the region."

Signing the statement were Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Basil Hume, and Professor John Tudno Williams, moderator of the Free Church Federal Council.