19th July 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has condemned the escalating violence in the Middle East.
Writing to the Heads of Churches in the Lebanon, Dr Williams said:
“I have been alarmed at the spiral of violence, the vicious circle of attack and retaliation, that has developed over the last few days. My prayers and sympathy are with the principal victims, the innocent civilians on both sides of the border, who now live in terror and are powerless to prevent the collective suffering at the hands of Hezbollah and the Israeli military.
“The distress felt at the destruction not only of life but also the infrastructure so painstakingly rebuilt after years of conflict will, I know, be acute and reinforce the sense of helplessness at being caught up in a wider regional struggle. My condemnation of this resort to violence is unequivocal.”
The full text of Dr. Williams' letter is found here.
Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold, along with seventeen other U.S. church leaders, has signed a letter to President George W. Bush on the same issue. Among other things, the letter says:
"As religious leaders in the United States, we are deeply moved by the July 7 statement by the Bishops and Patriarchs of Jerusalem. They condemn the abduction of the Israeli soldier and the killing of the young settler by Palestinians, but consider Israel's response – the destruction of bridges and a power station, the deprivation and deaths of civilians and arrests of Palestinian officials – as without proportion. 'Things have gone too far. We call on the International community to intervene and insist on a diplomatic solution to this conflict. All Authorities must change course, and with unflinching International pressure and presence, they have to negotiate in order to reach the just and definitive peace.'"
The full text of this letter is to be found on the Epscopal News Service's website.
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