Moravian Leaders Join a Broad Coalition of Christian Leaders Call
to Make Israel-Palestinians Peace an Immediate Priority
Washington, DC – December 2, 2008 – A broad spectrum of American Christian leaders – from Catholic and Orthodox traditions to mainline Protestant, Evangelical, and historic African American churches and institutions – have appealed to President-elect Barack Obama to make Israeli-Palestinian peace an immediate priority during his first year in office.
In a December 1, 2008 letter sent to the President-elect Obama as well as key members of his transition team and newly unveiled national security team, the leaders urged the incoming Obama Administration to “provide sustained, high-level diplomatic leadership toward the clear goal of a final status agreement” that will establish a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.
The letter notes that a durable peace agreement will help “strengthen U.S. security and improve stability and relationships through the Middle East.” Without active U.S. engagement, the leaders warned that “political inertia and perpetuation of the unbearable status quo will make achievement of a two-state solution increasingly difficult.” The leaders are also concerned about the “negative impact a further delay will have on the Christian community in the Holy Land, whose numbers continue to decline.”
Sending the letter during Advent, a season of hope and expectation in the Christian calendar, the leaders expressed their belief that “Jerusalem – home to two peoples and three religions – has the potential to become a powerful symbol of hope and coexistence for people across the region and the world.”
The leaders called on all Christians to support “vigorous U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure Middle East Peace.” The letter is being followed by a broad grassroots campaign aimed at mobilizing American Christian church members nationwide. The final letter signed by both Christian leaders and congregants will be delivered to President Obama during the time of inauguration.
The Rt. Rev. D. Wayne Burkette, President of the Moravian Church Provincial Elders’ Conference, South, and representative for the Moravian Church in North America, said about the letter, “It is most fitting that in this season of hope, when we celebrate again the coming of the One who is the Prince of Peace, Christians should join together in prayer and action for peace in the Middle East. As a member of Churches for Middle East Peace, the Moravian Church in America unites with brothers and sisters in Christ to express to the President-elect our hope that he will give efforts toward peace in the Middle East a place of highest priority on the agenda of the new administration.”
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said, “This letter speaks to the need for the incoming Obama administration to help bring about a peace agreement quickly between Israelis and Palestinians. The opportunity for achieving a two-state solution is narrowing and must be seized now. Further delays will make reaching an agreement much harder and undermine long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
Bishop Howard Hubbard, Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said, “This conflict continues to undermine the social, economic, and spiritual fabric of the lives of all persons in the region including Christians who have lived in the Holy Land since the earliest days of faith. With majorities of both Israelis and Palestinians supporting a durable peace, it is incumbent on their political leaders and our own to do everything possible to help bring about a just peace.”
Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Senior Pastor of Northland Church said, “Our faith calls on us to work and pray for peace. It’s not about taking one side over the other; it’s about seeking justice for both parties. The President-elect can be assured that there are many American Christians who stand ready to support his efforts when it comes to seeking a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace.”
The letter, in its entirety is included below:
December 1, 2008The Honorable Barack Obama
President-elect of the United States
Presidential Transition Team
Washington, DC 20270
Dear President-elect Obama,
As Christians of the Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant traditions, we are united by a Biblical call to be peacemakers and a commitment to the two peoples of the Holy Land who yearn for a just peace. As Americans, we urge you, Mr. President, to make achievement of Israeli-Palestinian peace an immediate priority during your first year in office.
The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has gone on too long. It has caused untold suffering for both sides, created economic hardships, and provided a rallying cry for extremists.
As people of faith and hope, we believe peace is possible. Majorities of both Israelis and Palestinians continue to support a negotiated solution based on two secure and sovereign states as the best way to end this tragic conflict.
In order to achieve a durable peace, your Administration must provide sustained, high-level diplomatic leadership toward the clear goal of a final status agreement. Building on past discussions, we ask you to encourage Israeli and Palestinian leaders to make historic compromises necessary for peace.
Your commitment to working for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel can help strengthen U.S. security and improve stability and relationships throughout the Middle East. We believe that Jerusalem – home to two peoples and three religions – has the potential to become a powerful symbol of hope and coexistence for people across the region and the world.
We know the work for a just peace will not be easy. It will require great courage and resolve, but the risk of inaction is even greater. Without active U.S. engagement, political inertia and perpetuation of the unbearable status quo will make achievement of a two-state solution increasingly difficult. Moreover, we are concerned about the negative impact a further delay will have on the Christian community in the Holy Land, whose numbers continue to decline.
We call on all Christians and people of goodwill to join us in praying for the peace of Jerusalem and in supporting vigorous U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure Middle East peace. Mr. President, as you take up the many challenges facing the United States and the global community, we urge you to work for a better future for all the children of Abraham in the land that is holy to us all.
Sincerely,
Rev. Fr. Mark Arey
Ecumenical Officer
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
The Most Rev. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
Primate, Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America (Eastern)
Rt. Rev. Wayne Burkette
Moravian Church in America
Tony Campolo
Eastern University, St. Davids, PA
Sr. J. Lora Dambroski, OSF
President, Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Marie Dennis
Director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Sr. Donna Graham, OSF
President, English Speaking Conference JPIC Council
Franciscan Friars (OFM)
Ken Hackett
President, Catholic Relief Services
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Rev. Dr. Stan Hastey
Minister for Mission and Ecumenism, Alliance of Baptists
Bishop Howard J. Hubbard
Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Dr. Joel C. Hunter
Senior Pastor, Northland Church
Member, Executive Committee of the
National Association of Evangelicals
Archbishop Cyril Aphrem Karim
Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church
for the Eastern USA
The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon
General Secretary
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Rev. Michael E. Livingston
Executive Director
International Council of Community Churches
Immediate Past President, National Council of Churches
Reverend John L. McCullough
Executive Director and CEO, Church World Service
Mary Ellen McNish
General Secretary, American Friends Service Committee
Rev. Dr. A. Roy Medley
General Secretary, The American Baptist Churches
Richard J. Mouw
President, Fuller Theological Seminary
David Neff
Editor in Chief, Christianity Today
Stanley J. Noffsinger
General Secretary
Church of the Brethren
Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer
President, The Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
Rev. Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church, (USA)
Very Rev. Thomas Picton, CSsR
President, Conference of Major Superiors of Men
Dr. Tyrone Pitts
General Secretary
Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.
Bob Roberts, Jr.
Pastor, NorthWood Church, Keller, TX
Leonard Rodgers
Executive Director
Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding
Metropolitan PHILIP (Saliba)
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North
America
Rolando L. Santiago
Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee U.S.
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church
Dr. Chris Seiple
President, Institute for Global Engagement
Robert A. Seiple
Former Ambassador-at-Large for
International Religious Freedom
Ronald J. Sider
President, Evangelicals for Social Action
Richard Stearns
President, World Vision, United States
The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President, United Church of Christ
Constantine M. Triantafilou
Executive Director and CEO
International Orthodox Christian Charities
Joe Volk
Executive Secretary
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Jim Wallis
President, Sojourners
The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Right Rev. John F. White
Ecumenical and Urban Affairs Officer
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. David L. Wickmann
Moravian Church in North America
