Officials' letter to chaplains seeks to mitigate Iraq war stand

Officials' letter to chaplains seeks to mitigate Iraq war stand By Paula R. Kincaid *The Layman Online* Friday, September 24, 2004 LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Top officials in the Presbyterian Church (USA) have written a letter to Presbyterian chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces explaining the actions of the 216th General Assembly. At the Richmond assembly, commissioners voted by 78 percent to approve a resolution titled "Iraq: Our Responsibility and the Future," which, in part, declared the "military action against Iraq" as "unwise, immoral and illegal." Following the assembly's vote, a commissioner asked the assembly to reconsider its action, saying it essentially branded U.S. soldiers as war criminals. "If we declare this war illegal, that means we declare our soldiers engaged in an illegal war, which essentially makes them war criminals. It makes them open to persecution as war criminals," he said. "It says something harmful to our soldiers in Iraq." The motion to reconsider was defeated by a 66 percent margin. The July letter to Presbyterian chaplains was signed by Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase, Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick and General Assembly Council Executive Director John Detterick. The letter begins by telling the chaplains "we regularly hold you in our prayers and are grateful for your ministry in what are often very difficult situations," and told how the ministry of Presbyterian chaplains was recognized during the opening worship of the assembly. It continues: "We know that many of you are concerned over the actions taken by the 216th General Assembly criticizing the United Sates government for the invasion of Iraq. (The action taken by the assembly was based on a year-long study by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy and in response to the urging of parent churches in the Middle East, including Iraq.) While that action raises serious questions about decisions of the U.S. Government and makes proposals for future policy directions, it is certainly not a criticism of our chaplains or our military personnel. In fact, two of the specific actions of the General Assembly were to: 'Call for pastoral support at every level of the church' life for U.S. military personnel and their families who suffer pain and loss as a result of this military action, and express compassion for Iraqis who are also the victims of this conflict. 'Recognize that many who are called to arms in this military action are responding out of conviction and others out of obedience to duty, or both, but all of whom do so at great sacrifice, both in their personal and family lives and also in relation to vocational responsibilities at home. The General Assembly further recognizes that there are many military officers and soldiers serving in Iraq who, out of convictions rooted in their faith, are engaged in various constructive activities of social service, such as rehabilitating hospitals and rebuilding schools.'" The letter says that while some may have questions about these actions, "we hope none of you questions the gratitude that this church in general and the 216th General Assembly in particular have for our military chaplains, both in Iraq and in other parts of he world. Yours is one of our church's most significant ministries to young adults and to people in very difficult life situations where the ministry of Christ and the church are crucial." The letter also describes the moderator's brief visit with the chaplains at their General Assembly luncheon. "As a lifelong peacemaker he is well aware that in many ways all of you are the peacemakers of the armed services. All three of us welcome the opportunity to build relationships with you. …May the fullness of life in Christ be a special source of strength for you as you minister on behalf of us all to your men and women in uniform." The 216th General Assembly's approved resolution also included the following statements: "… Opposition to the military action against Iraq based on just war principles and other principles of conscience, while not unanimous among Presbyterians, has been sufficiently widespread to indicate much concern. From the beginning, it has been the judgment of many church leaders, both in the United States and elsewhere, that an invasion of Iraq has been unwise, immoral, and illegal. The 216th General Assembly (2004) concurs with this judgment. That judgment has also been evident in widespread public feeling in numerous countries, including countries long friendly to the United States. …" "… Presbyterians affirm, 'God alone is Lord of the conscience.' Every member of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is both entitled, and called upon, to consider this matter prayerfully and lovingly. Every Presbyterian, however, is also called upon to treat those with whom they disagree with respect. We deplore the actions of those who regard persons with positions different from their own as being unpatriotic or un-Christian." "Moreover, the military action taken against Iraq is not directly or necessarily connected to the effort to deal with the threat of terrorism. It raises different issues and must be assessed using different moral considerations." "… there is widespread agreement that the United States bears a legal and moral burden for the reconstruction of Iraq. Many people feel this burden can only be carried out properly and successfully through full cooperation with the international community, especially the United Nations." "Expresses deep regret over the failure of the current administration, prior to military action, to meet with religious leaders seeking to offer a full explanation of the basis for their opposition to an invasion of Iraq, and the subsequent unwillingness of the administration to meet with those leaders to discuss the role the churches might play in creating a free and prosperous future for Iraq."


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