The Presbyterian Church (USA) is not a traditional peace church. Like all the denominations descending from the work of the 16th C. Reformer John Calvin (as well as the Scot John Knox and the English ministers who formed the Westminster Assembly), the Presbyterian Church (USA) has traditionally endorsed the "just war" or "justifiable war" tradition which allows Christians to participate in wars that meet certain conditions and to fight under a series of strict rules. (It is very questionable whether or not any wars have met such conditions, but that is a different discussion.) Presbyterian pacifists, persons committed to gospel nonviolence, have been "exceptions to the rule," though their percentage has grown since the end of World War II and the beginnings of the nuclear age. But in their latest General Assembly, the PC(USA) has taken several stands that should encourage all those committed to gospel nonviolence and, indeed, peacemakers of all faiths. - Yesterday (06/26/04) the PC(USA) elected Rick Ufford-Chase, a layperson (an Elder) from Southside Presbyterian Church in Tucson, Arizona as Moderator. Ufford-Chase is a longtime peace and justice activist. He is a former co-moderator of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and currently serves on the board of Christian Peacemaker Teams where he is a "peace reservist." He founded and works with BorderLinks, a bi-national mission on both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border (for 17 years now). In the '80s, Ufford-Chase was one of the first U.S. church people involved in the "Sanctuary" movement whereby persons of faith hid refugees from El Salvador whom the Reagan administration refused to grant political asylum. His election to head the PC(USA) is a good sign for peacemakers.
- In other actions, the General Assembly endorsed the Geneva Accords, a citizens initiative of both Palestinians and Israelis to forge a just peace.
- Called on Israel to cease building the so-called 'separation fence.' Called on the U.S. govt. to cease military aid to Israel and cancel all loans for settlements and all loans for military aid until the occupation of Palestine ceases.
- Called on Palestinians to cease suicide bombings and other terrorist actions and on Israel to cease its assassination policies and to abide by the 4th Geneva Convention (to which it is a signatory).
- Called for supportive aid to peacemakers in Colombia.
Write and tell us if your denomination takes steps toward greater Christian peacemaking. Congratulate Presbyterians you know about these actions they have taken.
|
