 New seminary president says 'acts of kindness' helping Iraq By John H. Adams The Layman Online Thursday, July 1, 2004
"I find myself that a genuine reconstruction and trust are under way," he told the 216th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Torrance, a member of an internationally acclaimed family of theologians, visited Iraq as moderator of the Church of Scotland. He addressed the General Assembly Wednesday as part of report on the seminaries that are recognized by the denomination although not subject to its governance. "I am a person who was always opposed to the war," he said, adding that he did not believe President George W. Bush and others presented convincing evidence for justifying the invasion of Iraq. He did not say his visit changed his mind about the justification for the war. But he emphasized that efforts to rebuild the country are "acts of kindness that can blossom in entirely unexpected ways." He mentioned similar strides being made in Ireland, where "we have had a long and bitter history of conflict. Eventually, the European community became involved and real progress evolved." He gave the commissioners his assessment of the impact of photographs showing abuse of prisoners by American soldiers. "The photographs did incomparable damage to America's reputation," he said. "You have in many ways been kicked in the teeth." But he placed that in the context of prayers during the General Assembly's opening worship service. "In those prayers, you prayed for the well-being of the people of Iraq. The spirit of that prayer convinced me, and I am glad to be with you and to join you." Torrance succeeds the retiring Tom Gillespie, Princeton Seminary's president for 21 years. |
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