Church wants apology for Iraq war
Church of England Bishops are calling on Christian leaders to consider ways in which to apologise for the war in Iraq.
They want a “clear public recognition” of the way that the West has contributed to the present situation in Iraq.
And they suggest that a public gathering of Christian and Muslim religious leaders could be a way of doing this.
In a new report by a working group of the Church of England’s House of Bishops, the church investigates its role in combating the threat of terrorism.
The report recognises the “complex relationship between religion and violence ” and the churches’ “tradition of self examination and penitence”.
It states: “We believe that the churches have an important role to play, not simply in urging the importance and applicability of Christian principles, but in a proper awareness of the role of religion, for good as well as ill, and initiatives it might take towards reconciliation between adversaries.”
The bishops, who opposed the war in Iraq and describe military action as “gravely mistaken”, recognise that to pull out now would be irresponisible.
They are also aware that the government is not likely to apologise for the war, but suggest there is a role for the churches in making a “public act of institutional repentance”.
They cite apologies by the Vatican for the persecution of Jews down the ages, and by the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa for their theological and political support for apartheid as precedents.
The 100-page report Countering Terrorism: Power, Violence and Democracy Post 9/11 also examines the United States’ “moral righteousness” and calls for a strengthening of the United Nations.
And they also offer an opinion on the current stand-off with Iran over its attempts to develop a nuclear capability, urging the EU-3 – Britain, Germany and France, which are negotiating with Iran – to over a more attractive incentive package.
“The non-nuclear weapon states need to be presented with rather more convincing arguments and incentives than they have been up to now, as to why it might be in their best interests not to go nuclear,” they conclude.
