Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Brethren call for release of kidnaped peacemakers.
Statements calling for the release of the four volunteers from Christian Peacemaker Teams who were abducted in Iraq on Nov. 26 have been issued by On Earth Peace and a group of Church of the Brethren leaders. Christian Peacemaker Teams also is calling on supporters around the world to sign an online petition for the captives' release and to hold prayer vigils on their behalf.
The four men--Tom Fox, Norman Kember, James Loney, and Harmeet Singh Sooden--are being held by a previously unknown group called Swords of Righteousness Brigade, which has threatened to kill the hostages unless all prisoners in US and Iraqi detention centers are released by Dec. 8.
In another development, according to Texans for Peace an interview with a daughter of one of the hostages may air on Nightline tonight on ABC-TV. Check your ABC affiliate for an interview with the daughter of Tom Fox. Also today, an appeal from the CPT team in Baghdad was broadcast on Al-Jazeerah television (see below).
On Dec. 2 Christian Peacemaker Teams sent out a release calling for the organization of vigils for the four men in light of the threat to their lives. "We ask communities of faith around the world to intensify prayers for the transformation of the hearts of those who are holding our friends," the release said. "We also ask that congregations pray for all people currently missing in Iraq, for prisoners in Iraqi jails, and for the prisoners' families."
"We call upon all concerned Christians to pray for the release of these men, and for their safe return to their families, " said Bob Gross, co-director of On Earth Peace, in a statement released Dec. 3.
"We join with Christian Peacemaker Teams in calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq and the violence carried out against its people," Gross saild. He added that "we know the work of CPT and we know that these men are not spies nor are they involved in religious missionary work. They are working on behalf of the Iraqi people, especially those suffering from the occupation of their country." (See www.brethren.org/genbd/newsline/index.htm for the full statement.)
"We are deeply saddened and brought to a place of clear conviction by the Nov. 26 kidnaping of four Christian Peacemaker Team members in Iraq," said the statement from the three Brethren leaders--Ronald Beachley, moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference; Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board; and Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
"It is imperative that we continue to lift in prayer our concern toward the active violence that remains a part of the foreign policy of our nation, and our support for the faithful witness of those who seek to serve all humankind in nonviolent and peaceful ways," the statement continued. "We lift in prayer today those who are captured in the cycle of violence that war brings whether they be innocent civilians in the fields of war, the human tools of war as soldiers, relief and humanitarian workers, or non-governmental contractors and support persons. We pray for the immediate families of those affected by deep pain and grief of war...."
The statement went on, "Even as we express concern for our own Christian peace workers, we acknowledge that over 225 persons have been kidnaped during this time of war in Iraq, thousands have died on both sides of the fields of battle, civilian and military. Our prayers are for all persons affected by the violence of this war." (See www.brethren.org/genbd/newsline/index.htm for the full statement.)
Three Muslim detainees in Toronto, Canada, have called for the hostages' release, in a statement released by CPT today. The three men--Mahmoud Jaballah, Mohammad Mahjoub, and Hassan Almrei--said they have been detained without charge for up for five and a half years under security certificates by the government of Canada, which alleges that they are linked to terrorist organizations. They identified Loney as "one of thousands of people who have been fighting to right this wrong," and said, "This is the same James Loney who has reached out to the families of the Abu Ghraib prisoners. It pains our heart to know that a person of this calibre is being held captive. We care about his freedom more than we do our own."
According to CPT, others calling for the release of the men include leading Palestinians such as Ikram al-Sabri, the head Mufti of Palestine; Wasif Abu-Yousef, a representative of the National and Islamic Forces in Palestine; and the National and Islamic Forces in Hebron, which held a press conference on Nov. 30 and issued a statement expressing "sorrow at the (disappearance) of four of the peace advocates from the CPT in Iraq." Palestinians from At-Tuwani, where Christian Peacemaker Teams has accompanied villagers for two years, held a demonstration on Dec. 2 calling for release of the hostages. Banners at the demonstration read, "CPTers sacrifice their blood to help us and to help the world know about our struggles. The people, women, and children of At-Tuwani ask for the captors to let the CPT free."
Among other groups calling for the captives' release was the World Council of Churches, which said that the hostages' "prolonged captivity is not in anyone's interest and is likely to further embitter and polarize Iraqi society, causing anger and frustration" and reiterated its assessment of the war on Iraq as being "immoral, illegal, and ill-advised." The National Council of Churches called on members to take time in their Sunday worship services to offer special prayers for the peacemakers, and invited other religious communities meeting to "remember our brothers."
Church of the Brethren congregations holding prayer vigils for the four CPT volunteers include First Church of the Brethren in Chicago, Ill., which held a vigil on Friday, Dec. 2; and Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., which plans a candlelight prayer vigil for 7:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
To register a vigil so that other may join from your community, go to http://peace.mennolink.org/prayervigils.html. For a list of planned vigils see http://peace.mennolink.org/vigillist.html.
Those wishing to register support for the captured peacemakers are invited by Christian Peacemaker Teams to sign an online petition. Go to http://freethecpt.org for a petition in English or to http://electroniciraq.net/news/2210.shtml for a petition in Arabic.
For a bulletin insert on the situation of the kidnaped peacemakers go to http://peace.mennolink.org/resources/cptmissing.pdf.
For more information about Christian Peacemaker Teams go to www.cpt.org.
Source: 12/06/2005 Newsline
top
Statements calling for the release of the four volunteers from Christian Peacemaker Teams who were abducted in Iraq on Nov. 26 have been issued by On Earth Peace and a group of Church of the Brethren leaders. Christian Peacemaker Teams also is calling on supporters around the world to sign an online petition for the captives' release and to hold prayer vigils on their behalf.
The four men--Tom Fox, Norman Kember, James Loney, and Harmeet Singh Sooden--are being held by a previously unknown group called Swords of Righteousness Brigade, which has threatened to kill the hostages unless all prisoners in US and Iraqi detention centers are released by Dec. 8.
In another development, according to Texans for Peace an interview with a daughter of one of the hostages may air on Nightline tonight on ABC-TV. Check your ABC affiliate for an interview with the daughter of Tom Fox. Also today, an appeal from the CPT team in Baghdad was broadcast on Al-Jazeerah television (see below).
On Dec. 2 Christian Peacemaker Teams sent out a release calling for the organization of vigils for the four men in light of the threat to their lives. "We ask communities of faith around the world to intensify prayers for the transformation of the hearts of those who are holding our friends," the release said. "We also ask that congregations pray for all people currently missing in Iraq, for prisoners in Iraqi jails, and for the prisoners' families."
"We call upon all concerned Christians to pray for the release of these men, and for their safe return to their families, " said Bob Gross, co-director of On Earth Peace, in a statement released Dec. 3.
"We join with Christian Peacemaker Teams in calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq and the violence carried out against its people," Gross saild. He added that "we know the work of CPT and we know that these men are not spies nor are they involved in religious missionary work. They are working on behalf of the Iraqi people, especially those suffering from the occupation of their country." (See www.brethren.org/genbd/newsline/index.htm for the full statement.)
"We are deeply saddened and brought to a place of clear conviction by the Nov. 26 kidnaping of four Christian Peacemaker Team members in Iraq," said the statement from the three Brethren leaders--Ronald Beachley, moderator of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference; Stan Noffsinger, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren General Board; and Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
"It is imperative that we continue to lift in prayer our concern toward the active violence that remains a part of the foreign policy of our nation, and our support for the faithful witness of those who seek to serve all humankind in nonviolent and peaceful ways," the statement continued. "We lift in prayer today those who are captured in the cycle of violence that war brings whether they be innocent civilians in the fields of war, the human tools of war as soldiers, relief and humanitarian workers, or non-governmental contractors and support persons. We pray for the immediate families of those affected by deep pain and grief of war...."
The statement went on, "Even as we express concern for our own Christian peace workers, we acknowledge that over 225 persons have been kidnaped during this time of war in Iraq, thousands have died on both sides of the fields of battle, civilian and military. Our prayers are for all persons affected by the violence of this war." (See www.brethren.org/genbd/newsline/index.htm for the full statement.)
Three Muslim detainees in Toronto, Canada, have called for the hostages' release, in a statement released by CPT today. The three men--Mahmoud Jaballah, Mohammad Mahjoub, and Hassan Almrei--said they have been detained without charge for up for five and a half years under security certificates by the government of Canada, which alleges that they are linked to terrorist organizations. They identified Loney as "one of thousands of people who have been fighting to right this wrong," and said, "This is the same James Loney who has reached out to the families of the Abu Ghraib prisoners. It pains our heart to know that a person of this calibre is being held captive. We care about his freedom more than we do our own."
According to CPT, others calling for the release of the men include leading Palestinians such as Ikram al-Sabri, the head Mufti of Palestine; Wasif Abu-Yousef, a representative of the National and Islamic Forces in Palestine; and the National and Islamic Forces in Hebron, which held a press conference on Nov. 30 and issued a statement expressing "sorrow at the (disappearance) of four of the peace advocates from the CPT in Iraq." Palestinians from At-Tuwani, where Christian Peacemaker Teams has accompanied villagers for two years, held a demonstration on Dec. 2 calling for release of the hostages. Banners at the demonstration read, "CPTers sacrifice their blood to help us and to help the world know about our struggles. The people, women, and children of At-Tuwani ask for the captors to let the CPT free."
Among other groups calling for the captives' release was the World Council of Churches, which said that the hostages' "prolonged captivity is not in anyone's interest and is likely to further embitter and polarize Iraqi society, causing anger and frustration" and reiterated its assessment of the war on Iraq as being "immoral, illegal, and ill-advised." The National Council of Churches called on members to take time in their Sunday worship services to offer special prayers for the peacemakers, and invited other religious communities meeting to "remember our brothers."
Church of the Brethren congregations holding prayer vigils for the four CPT volunteers include First Church of the Brethren in Chicago, Ill., which held a vigil on Friday, Dec. 2; and Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., which plans a candlelight prayer vigil for 7:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
To register a vigil so that other may join from your community, go to http://peace.mennolink.org/prayervigils.html. For a list of planned vigils see http://peace.mennolink.org/vigillist.html.
Those wishing to register support for the captured peacemakers are invited by Christian Peacemaker Teams to sign an online petition. Go to http://freethecpt.org for a petition in English or to http://electroniciraq.net/news/2210.shtml for a petition in Arabic.
For a bulletin insert on the situation of the kidnaped peacemakers go to http://peace.mennolink.org/resources/cptmissing.pdf.
For more information about Christian Peacemaker Teams go to www.cpt.org.
Source: 12/06/2005 Newsline
top
Association of Brethren Caregivers calls for defeat of 2006 Federal Budget.
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) has issued a statement saying that it "stands alongside other religious leaders calling for the defeat of the 2006 Federal Budget." The association's concerns include that proposed budget cuts are attempting to balance the federal deficit at the expense of the poor.
ABC is inviting Brethren to join in a national "altar call" to prayer and worship on the budget issue on Dec. 14.
House and Senate versions of the budget differ and will be reconciled in committee. The budgets presently "call for cuts of $49.9 billion and $35 billion, respectively, in social programs that fund health care, food stamps, foster care for neglected children, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, enforcement of child support orders and student loans," ABC said. It added that according to a Nov. 9 Action Alert from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board, "lawmakers intend to follow these program cuts with another tax cut of $70 billion that will primarily benefit the top 3 percent of taxpayers."
ABC is supporting a Dec. 6 letter signed by five Christian denominations calling for the budget "to reflect the nation's commitment to care for the poor and those in need, especially in light of the devastation and brokenness caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita"; and is supporting similar calls from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
The full statement follows:
"The Association of Brethren Caregivers stands alongside other religious leaders calling for the defeat of the 2006 Federal Budget as it is currently proposed. Being led by scripture that 'the Lord maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor' (Psalm 140:12), ABC is concerned about the proposed budget, which cuts deeply into programs for the poor while offering tax breaks for the wealthy. ABC supports a December 6 letter signed by five denominations calling for the federal budget to reflect the nation's commitment to care for the poor and those in need, especially in light of the devastation and brokenness caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
"Legislators are working to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the proposed 2006 federal budget that call for cuts of $49.9 billion and $35 billion, respectively, in social programs that fund health care, food stamps, foster care for neglected children, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, enforcement of child support orders and student loans. According to a Nov. 9 action alert from the Church of the Brethren General Board's Washington office, lawmakers intend to follow these program cuts with another tax cut of $70 billion that will primarily benefit the top 3 percent of taxpayers. As the Church of the Brethren agency that advocates for caring ministries, especially for the marginalized in society, ABC views the proposed budget cuts as attempts to balance the federal deficit at the expense of the poor.
"ABC echos the request of the Church of the Brethren Washington Office and asks for Brethren to prayerfully consider the issues around the proposed federal budget for 2006 and voice their opinions to their legislators. ABC also asks Brethren to pray for and take part in prayer vigils planned for Dec. 14 at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., and around the country.
"Jim Wallis, editor of 'Sojourners' magazine is holding an 'altar call" from 8 a.m.to noon on Dec. 14, at the US Capitol, Washington, DC. Participants will pray for and ask legislators to reject the budget. Because the event may result in arrests for those who are willing, participants must attend a training session at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation at 8 a.m., Dec. 14. Prayer vigils are also being organized across the country. For information about Sojourners' altar call and vigils, visit www.sojo.net.
"The National Council of Churches USA also will bring together heads of communions to pray about the Fiscal Budget, Dec. 14 in the US Capitol's rotunda for the 'National Day of Silence.'
"The most recent US Census Bureau report on poverty presented hard numbers: 36 million Americans living below the poverty line. In light of this reality, ABC joins in asking these questions posed by religious leaders in their Dec. 6 letter to legislators and all people of faith:
"--How can Congress compromise on food stamps when the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 222,000 people, primarily low-income working families with children, and 70,000 legal immigrants, would lose food stamps if conferees follow the House budget?
"--How can Congress compromise between the $1 billion for heating subsidies for low-income people included in the House bill but not in the Senate, while knowing that heating bills are expected to rise 50 percent?
"--How can Congress compromise on Medicaid provisions that will force low-income patients to forego needed health care or medications, and relieve states of providing low-income children just above the poverty line with comprehensive preventive care and treatment?
"--How does Congress compromise when the House proposal includes deep cuts to child support enforcement that will likely push children deeper into poverty when, already, nearly one in five children in this nation live below the poverty line?
"The Washington Office's alert encourages Brethren to consider the 2000 Annual Conference Statement on Caring For the Poor, which encourages congregations to use 'their experience in ministry with the poor to inform themselves of the legislative and political issues having impact on the poor and speak to those issues with their legislators at local, state, and national levels. The biblical witness and our own experiences as a community of faith suggest that there is a corporate or societal responsibility to deal with the problems of the poor, such as the Year of Jubilee. This extends beyond personal, hands-on responses and includes advocacy on behalf of the poor.'
"Over the last several weeks, religious leaders across the nation have voiced their concerns over the proposed budget cuts.
"'This is not the time for the budget reconciliation process to create greater hardships for those who are already experiencing greater suffering. To do so is not only unjust, it is a sin,' stated an Oct. 19 letter signed by 17 denominational members of the National Council of Churches USA. The letter voiced opposition to the House's proposed $50 billion in budget cuts.
"'Let's be clear. It is a moral disgrace to take food from the mouths of hungry children to increase the luxuries of those feasting at a table overflowing with plenty,' wrote Wallis in the Nov. 30 issue of Sojomail, an electronic newsletter of 'Sojourners' magazine.
"For more scripture references to consider and copies of the letters and documents mentioned here, visit ABC's website at www.brethren-caregivers.org."
Source: 12/06/2005 Newsline
top
The Association of Brethren Caregivers (ABC) has issued a statement saying that it "stands alongside other religious leaders calling for the defeat of the 2006 Federal Budget." The association's concerns include that proposed budget cuts are attempting to balance the federal deficit at the expense of the poor.
ABC is inviting Brethren to join in a national "altar call" to prayer and worship on the budget issue on Dec. 14.
House and Senate versions of the budget differ and will be reconciled in committee. The budgets presently "call for cuts of $49.9 billion and $35 billion, respectively, in social programs that fund health care, food stamps, foster care for neglected children, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, enforcement of child support orders and student loans," ABC said. It added that according to a Nov. 9 Action Alert from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office of the Church of the Brethren General Board, "lawmakers intend to follow these program cuts with another tax cut of $70 billion that will primarily benefit the top 3 percent of taxpayers."
ABC is supporting a Dec. 6 letter signed by five Christian denominations calling for the budget "to reflect the nation's commitment to care for the poor and those in need, especially in light of the devastation and brokenness caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita"; and is supporting similar calls from the Brethren Witness/Washington Office.
The full statement follows:
"The Association of Brethren Caregivers stands alongside other religious leaders calling for the defeat of the 2006 Federal Budget as it is currently proposed. Being led by scripture that 'the Lord maintains the cause of the needy, and executes justice for the poor' (Psalm 140:12), ABC is concerned about the proposed budget, which cuts deeply into programs for the poor while offering tax breaks for the wealthy. ABC supports a December 6 letter signed by five denominations calling for the federal budget to reflect the nation's commitment to care for the poor and those in need, especially in light of the devastation and brokenness caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
"Legislators are working to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the proposed 2006 federal budget that call for cuts of $49.9 billion and $35 billion, respectively, in social programs that fund health care, food stamps, foster care for neglected children, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, enforcement of child support orders and student loans. According to a Nov. 9 action alert from the Church of the Brethren General Board's Washington office, lawmakers intend to follow these program cuts with another tax cut of $70 billion that will primarily benefit the top 3 percent of taxpayers. As the Church of the Brethren agency that advocates for caring ministries, especially for the marginalized in society, ABC views the proposed budget cuts as attempts to balance the federal deficit at the expense of the poor.
"ABC echos the request of the Church of the Brethren Washington Office and asks for Brethren to prayerfully consider the issues around the proposed federal budget for 2006 and voice their opinions to their legislators. ABC also asks Brethren to pray for and take part in prayer vigils planned for Dec. 14 at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C., and around the country.
"Jim Wallis, editor of 'Sojourners' magazine is holding an 'altar call" from 8 a.m.to noon on Dec. 14, at the US Capitol, Washington, DC. Participants will pray for and ask legislators to reject the budget. Because the event may result in arrests for those who are willing, participants must attend a training session at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation at 8 a.m., Dec. 14. Prayer vigils are also being organized across the country. For information about Sojourners' altar call and vigils, visit www.sojo.net.
"The National Council of Churches USA also will bring together heads of communions to pray about the Fiscal Budget, Dec. 14 in the US Capitol's rotunda for the 'National Day of Silence.'
"The most recent US Census Bureau report on poverty presented hard numbers: 36 million Americans living below the poverty line. In light of this reality, ABC joins in asking these questions posed by religious leaders in their Dec. 6 letter to legislators and all people of faith:
"--How can Congress compromise on food stamps when the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 222,000 people, primarily low-income working families with children, and 70,000 legal immigrants, would lose food stamps if conferees follow the House budget?
"--How can Congress compromise between the $1 billion for heating subsidies for low-income people included in the House bill but not in the Senate, while knowing that heating bills are expected to rise 50 percent?
"--How can Congress compromise on Medicaid provisions that will force low-income patients to forego needed health care or medications, and relieve states of providing low-income children just above the poverty line with comprehensive preventive care and treatment?
"--How does Congress compromise when the House proposal includes deep cuts to child support enforcement that will likely push children deeper into poverty when, already, nearly one in five children in this nation live below the poverty line?
"The Washington Office's alert encourages Brethren to consider the 2000 Annual Conference Statement on Caring For the Poor, which encourages congregations to use 'their experience in ministry with the poor to inform themselves of the legislative and political issues having impact on the poor and speak to those issues with their legislators at local, state, and national levels. The biblical witness and our own experiences as a community of faith suggest that there is a corporate or societal responsibility to deal with the problems of the poor, such as the Year of Jubilee. This extends beyond personal, hands-on responses and includes advocacy on behalf of the poor.'
"Over the last several weeks, religious leaders across the nation have voiced their concerns over the proposed budget cuts.
"'This is not the time for the budget reconciliation process to create greater hardships for those who are already experiencing greater suffering. To do so is not only unjust, it is a sin,' stated an Oct. 19 letter signed by 17 denominational members of the National Council of Churches USA. The letter voiced opposition to the House's proposed $50 billion in budget cuts.
"'Let's be clear. It is a moral disgrace to take food from the mouths of hungry children to increase the luxuries of those feasting at a table overflowing with plenty,' wrote Wallis in the Nov. 30 issue of Sojomail, an electronic newsletter of 'Sojourners' magazine.
"For more scripture references to consider and copies of the letters and documents mentioned here, visit ABC's website at www.brethren-caregivers.org."
Source: 12/06/2005 Newsline
top
Appeal from the Christian Peacemaker Team in Baghdad, Iraq.
"We are very concerned about our friends. We would very much like to know that they are in good condition.
"It is our most sincere wish that you will immediately release them unharmed.
"While we believe the action of kidnapping is wrong, we do not condemn you as people. We recognize the humanity in each person, and respect it very much. This includes you, our colleagues, and all people.
"We believe there needs to be a force that counters all the resentment, the fear, the intimidation felt by the Iraqi people. We are trying to be that force: to speak for justice, to advocate for the human rights of Iraqis, to look at an Iraqi face and say: my brother, my sister,
"Perhaps you are men who only want to raise the issue of illegal detention. We don't know what you may have endured.
"As you can see by the statements of support from our friends in Iraq and all over the world, we work for those who are oppressed.
"We also condemn our own governments for their actions in Iraq.
"Please, we appeal to your humanity to show mercy on our brothers and let them come back safely to us to continue our work.
"May God spare our friends, and all the people of Iraq any further suffering."
Source: 12/06/2005 Newsline
top
"We are very concerned about our friends. We would very much like to know that they are in good condition.
"It is our most sincere wish that you will immediately release them unharmed.
"While we believe the action of kidnapping is wrong, we do not condemn you as people. We recognize the humanity in each person, and respect it very much. This includes you, our colleagues, and all people.
"We believe there needs to be a force that counters all the resentment, the fear, the intimidation felt by the Iraqi people. We are trying to be that force: to speak for justice, to advocate for the human rights of Iraqis, to look at an Iraqi face and say: my brother, my sister,
"Perhaps you are men who only want to raise the issue of illegal detention. We don't know what you may have endured.
"As you can see by the statements of support from our friends in Iraq and all over the world, we work for those who are oppressed.
"We also condemn our own governments for their actions in Iraq.
"Please, we appeal to your humanity to show mercy on our brothers and let them come back safely to us to continue our work.
"May God spare our friends, and all the people of Iraq any further suffering."
Source: 12/06/2005 Newsline
top
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