UK Christians are committed to Upholding Peace in Iraq

Tensions between Iraq and the Western countries, especially the U.S and Europe, have increased after the recent reports of the inhumane abuse of Iraq prisoners by US guards. In respond to the issue, Christian leaders in the UK have shown shock and concern.

Steve Hucklesby, Secretary for International Affairs of the Methodist Church of Great Britain, commented that the Methodist Church is continuing to press the government to work closely with the UN in Iraq.

The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester, described the situation in Iraq as a "terrible mess". He criticised the deeds of the handful of US troops that were shown to have been abusing Iraqi prisoners: “It is one of the most distressing and disgraceful episodes that we have witnessed since the second world war in the humiliation of people who allegedly have been liberated - particularly as it now turns out the vast percentage of the people being held in that jail had no real reason for being held at all.”

He believed that being entwined with America, the British government should remain in its present position of reinforcing peace in Iraq instead of walking out and allowing the US to take over the control completely, which could bring about even greater mayhem.

The voice calling for making peace in Iraq is rising amongst UK Christians. Currently, a North American based Christian interfaith peace activist group - the 'Christian Peacemaker Teams' (CPT) is setting up its first branch in the UK. It provides organisational support for people committed to faith-based non-violent alternatives in situations where lethal conflict is an immediate reality or is supported by public policy.

A core team comprising of full-time personnel, and supplemented by part-timers, and 10-14 day ‘delegations’ of people interested in working with local peacemakers from CPT has been present in Iraq since October 2002.

CPT seeks to enlist the response of all churches in conscientious objection to war, and the development of non-violent institutions, skills and training for the intervention in conflict situations. CPT projects connect intimately with the spiritual lives of its constituent congregations. Gifts of prayer, money and time from these churches will support CPT peacemaking ministries.

The first CPT reservist in the UK, David Cockburn commented, “Now more than ever there is a desperate need to address escalating cycles of violence, particularly in the Middle East.”

“Our team has worked successfully with Muslims, Jews, Christians and others to calm many situations effectively, and shows how non-violence rather than violence, can break such cycles.”

As the founder of the CPT, Ron Sider said, “A costly self-giving love, even for enemies, was central to Jesus' message. He called his followers to abandon retaliation, even the accepted "eye for an eye" of the Mosaic legal system. He said that his followers would persist in costly love even for enemies, even if those enemies never reciprocated.”

CPT UK will offer a presentation about their group on Tuesday 8th June at 7:30 pm at the London Mennonite Centre. David Cockburn and Tim Nafziger, both part time CPT corps members will speak about their experiences with CPT.