May 11, 2004
Bishops call for U.N. role in Iraq, decry violence
By United Methodist News Service

The United Methodist Church's bishops are urging the U.S. government to request help from the United Nations in establishing a transitional government in Iraq.

In a May 11 resolution, the Council of Bishops said it "laments the continued warfare by the United States and coalition forces" in Iraq, noting that the cycle of violence has led to the "denigration of human dignity and gross violations of human rights of Iraqi prisoners of war."

The bishops say they pray for military personnel and their families, and ask that United Methodists pray for peace.

The council also asks the U.S. government to "request that the United Nations become involved in the transition process to a new Iraqi government" and that a multinational development plan be started for rebuilding Iraq and other Middle Eastern nations.

The statement comes a few days after the April 27-May 7 General Conference, the church's top legislative assembly and the only entity that speaks for the entire denomination. A group of bishops had drafted a resolution for the assembly to consider at its gathering in Pittsburgh, but the resolution didn't have enough votes to get on the floor.

However, before adjourning shortly before midnight May 7, the General Conference delegates did approve a resolution supporting calls for a full investigation into the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners. The delegates also urged that the prisoners be treated in accordance with the international Geneva Convention. Reports and photographs of Iraqi prisoners being abused by U.S. soldiers have caused an international furor, particularly in the Middle East.

On May 5, the National Council of Churches USA issued a statement expressing sadness and indignation over the situation in Iraq. The NCC, which includes the United Methodist Church among its members, said U.S. actions have led to the alienation of many around the world. "It is time the United States takes actions that befit its place among the community of nations," the NCC said.

In their statement, the United Methodist bishops said the "continuing loss of Iraqi civilian lives, especially children, and the increasing death toll among United States, coalition military and civilian personnel in Iraq grieves the heart of God."

They went on to note that "the premises advanced by the United States government for engaging in this war - namely, the presumption of weapons of mass destruction and the alleged connection between al-Qaida and Iraq - have not been verified."

The council includes 68 active bishops in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. The bishops are the top clergy leaders of the 11.4 million-member denomination.

A full text of the council's statement follows:

Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

Resolution on the War in Iraq

Whereas, the prophet Micah reminds us that God "shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate strong nations far away," and calls nations to "beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks," that nations will no longer "lift up sword against nation, and neither shall they learn war any more" (Micah 4:3); and

Whereas, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church states that "we deplore war" and "urge peaceful settlement of all disputes" (Para. 164G, The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2000); and,

Whereas, the continuing loss of Iraqi civilian lives, especially children, and the increasing death toll among United States, coalition military and civilian personnel in Iraq grieves the heart of God; and,

Whereas, the premises advanced by the United States government for engaging in this war, namely, the presumption of weapons of mass destruction and alleged connection between Al Qaeda and Iraq have not been verified; and,

Whereas, the cycle of violence in which the United States is engaged has created a context for the denigration of human dignity and gross violations of human rights of Iraqi prisoners of war;

Therefore, The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church:

1. Laments the continued warfare by the United States and coalition forces.

2. Prays for military personnel and their families who have sacrificed as a result of this war and for a swift end to the destruction and violence raging in Iraq.

3. Asks the United States government to request that the United Nations become involved in the transition process to a new Iraqi government.

4. Requests the United Nations to establish a legitimate transitional government of Iraq to maintain the peace and safeguard sustainable development efforts.

5. Calls for the rebuilding of Iraq and other nations in the Middle East through a multinational development plan that honors the participation of the peoples of the region and gives them hope for the future.

6. Invites United Methodists throughout the world to pray for a new era of peace and to advocate for public policies that promote justice, life, and reconciliation among adversaries.


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May 13, 2004
Church asks for new U.S. policy on Haitian asylum seekers
By Elliott Wright*

PITTSBURGH (UMNS) - The United Methodist Church has asked the U.S. government to change its policy on Haitians seeking political asylum.

The denomination's General Conference passed a resolution May 5 stating that the United States should end the practice of both blocking and detaining Haitian asylum seekers. The resolution cited the unstable and often violent conditions in the Caribbean nation.

The church encouraged Washington to give Haitian asylum seekers full access to the process for seeking asylum and to increase resettlement opportunities in the United States. The United Methodists also asked the U.S. government to assist Haitian asylum seekers who have fled into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island with Haiti.

"The U.S., by its own admission, is detaining Haitian asylum seekers in order to deter a mass exodus from Haiti and has a policy that is contrary to international law and applies it in a discriminatory fashion," the resolution charged.

The action came as the United Nations struggled to put together an international force to replace some 3,500 troops from the United States, France, Canada and Chile who have been trying to keep the peace since rebels ousted the Haitian government in February.

"We welcome the General Conference resolution," said the Rev. R. Randy Day, top staff executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. The agency has a long history of service ministries in Haiti, working with the autonomous Methodist Church of Haiti. "Knowing that the denomination is behind us strengthens our determination to work for justice and peace for the Haitian people."

Before the recent political upheaval, some 700 United Methodists from the United States went to Haiti each year on mission volunteer teams. The teams work with Haitians in building churches, clinics and schools. The Haitian Church has a network of day schools that offer hot lunches funded through gifts from U.S. churches, primarily in Michigan.

According to the United Methodist resolution, Haitian families attempting to enter the United States are separated, with women and men held in jails "in deplorable conditions" alongside criminals. Haitians denied entry into the United States and deported are put at "great risk" when they return to their homeland.

The Haitian resolution was considered and revised in a legislative session and reported to the General Conference as part of a consent calendar, which is not debated on the floor.

*Wright is the information officer for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. News media can contact Tim Tanton at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org .

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May 13, 2004
United Methodists denounce Native American sports mascots
By Linda Green*

PITTSBURGH (UMNS) - United Methodist agencies and other organizations are not to conduct meetings or hold events in cities where professional sports teams use Native American mascots.

Delegates to the 2004 United Methodist General Conference rejected the use of Native American names and symbols for sport teams, calling the practice dehumanizing and a blatant expression of racism. The action came May 7 at the church's top legislative gathering, held every four years.

The nearly 1,000 United Methodists from across the world also noted that their denomination has been one of many faith groups calling for respect for Native American legacies and traditions.

The resolution, approved 842-10, reaffirmed the church's commitment to "participate actively in the continued struggle of building the true community of God, where reconciliation comes together with justice and peace."

The General Conference called upon all churchwide agencies, annual conferences and other United Methodist-related entities to hold meetings and events only in cities that do not sponsor sport teams using Native American names and symbols. After choosing an event location, the organization should state the denomination's position regarding Native American names and symbols, the conference said.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer. News media can contact Linda Green at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org .