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Pastoral letter on Iraq from the President and Vice President of Conference to all Methodists in Britain

Methodist churches across Britain are invited to read thisletter out during services on 23 February 2003.

Dear friends,

We greet you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Prince ofPeace.

At the request of the Methodist Council, we write to all membersand friends of the Methodist Church in Britain at this criticaljuncture in international affairs. We shall also copy this letterto the Prime Minister.

We are aware of deep feelings of anxiety in all sections ofBritish society at the prospect of the possible use of militaryforce against Iraq. Many Methodists have asked us where our Churchstands on such momentous issues and this is our currentposition:

Since the summer of 2002 we have urged our Government toact through the United Nations to give every reasonable opportunityfor the government of Iraq to comply with the resolutions of the UNSecurity Council. The work of the Weapons Inspectors is crucial. Sois continuing diplomatic activity to find a peacefulresolution.

If military force against Iraq should be judged to bepolitically necessary, it should be used only as a last resort. Itis essential that such action is authorised by a new resolution ofthe UN Security Council.

We invite Methodists to consider the following matters as we allcontinue to think about the developing situation.

1. Complex international crises always provoke heated argumentsand conflicts of political and economic judgment. Methodists havedivergent opinions about the motives of various governments andabout what should be done. We are often frustrated because we donot have enough information. We must listen patiently to oneanother, however deep our feelings run.

2. Even if the UN were to authorise military action in relationto Iraq, that will not bring the debate to an end. Christians willstill have the responsibility of making judgments which areinformed by our faith, and of pressing their case with theirelected representatives and with the government.

3. The Christian tradition prompts us to listen carefully to arange of ethical positions as we debate together what action shouldbe taken in a situation like the present one.

Some in the Church are pacifists, who believe that there cannever be a moral justification for war or military action.

Others in the Church, probably the majority, believe thatmilitary action may be supported, as the lesser of evils and as alast resort, under certain strict conditions. For those who adoptthis position, there will still be questions to explore, forexample:

  • Is there a just cause for military action?
  • Has every other means of resolving the crisis been tried?
  • Are the aims of military action likely to result in greaterjustice and security?
  • Is there a reasonable expectation that overall the good willoutweigh the evil that will inevitably result from militaryaction?

One of our deepest concerns in recent months has been theincrease in religious and racial tension in British society.Methodists are committed to developing relations of friendship withpeople of all world faiths. Methodists do this in the spirit of ourfounder, John Wesley, who urged his followers to show themselves'the friends of all, the enemies of none'. We invite you today totake a fresh initiative to offer the hand of friendship to membersof other faith communities in your neighbourhood.

With all this in mind we call upon the whole Church to pray forall who are involved in the current international crisis. In ourprayers we need to remember the many different ways in which peopleare affected.

Lord of all -
May your wisdom
          enable thesearch for justice,
Your light
          reveal thepath of hope,
And your love
          embrace theworld you created.
In these days of tension and uncertainty,
May your gift of peace
          be sharedwith all people.

The peace of the Lord be with you and with all people. We shallcontinue to pray for you.

The Reverend Ian T White, President of the MethodistConference
Professor Peter Howdle, Vice-President of the MethodistConference

Further resources and prayers on the Church andIraq