UNITED STATES: Church alliance denounces Iraq war

On February 18, the 43 US members of the World Council of Churches issued a statement denouncing the US-led war on Iraq "launched in deception and violating global norms of justice and human rights. We mourn all who have died or been injured in this war. We acknowledge with shame abuses carried out in our name." The statement claimed that Washington had been "raining down terror on the truly vulnerable among our global neighbors ... entering into imperial projects that seek to dominate and control for the sake of national interests ... Nations have been demonized and God has been enlisted in national agendas that are nothing short of idolatrous." On February 17, the US National Council of Churches issued a letter calling on Washington to close down the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, saying torture allegations violated the "fundamental Christian belief in the dignity of the human person".

From Green Left Weekly, March 1, 2006.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 658