Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
JOINT NEWS RELEASE
Offices of Communication
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA and
United Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
CLEVELAND (DNS) -- In the wake of the death of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, leaders of two mainline Protestant denominations Wednesday (Nov. 8) called for continuing peace efforts in the Middle East.
In a joint statement, the Rev. Paul H. Sherry, president of the 1.5-million-member United Church of Christ, and the Rev. Richard L. Hamm, general minister and president of the 1-million-member Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), said they were praying for Rabin's family, Acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres and the Palestinians "as they face the uncertainties occasioned by such a tragic event.
"Conflict in the Middle East has claimed too many martyrs . . It is time that we all choose life, so that we and our children might live," the two leaders said.
The United Church of Christ, with national offices in Cleveland, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with general offices in Indianapolis, have been in an ecumenical partnership since 1987. The United Church Board for World Ministries and the Disciples' Division of Overseas Ministries have shared some staff and programs for many years. This past year, both bodies approved a Common Mission Board to oversee their joint world mission efforts.
[Editors and producers: Here is the complete text of a statement released Wednesday (Nov. 8) by Disciples General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm and UCC President Paul H. Sherry.]
"On September 13, 1995, in a moving ceremony on the White House lawn, we heard Prime Minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin plead, 'Enough blood, enough tears!' Now the man who courageously led his country toward a new era of peace with the Palestinian people and with the Arab states has become the victim of an assassin's bullet.
"We join with members of Mr Rabin's family and with the people of Israel in mourning the loss of a man who knew the risks of leadership and bravely assumed them. We pray for Acting Prime Minister Shimon Peres as he strives to continue the momentum toward peace. And we pray for the Palestinians as they face the uncertainties occasioned by such a tragic event.
"We join with Jews, Muslims and other Christians inheritors of a common Abrahamic legacy in repeating the late prime minister's plea. Conflict in the Middle East has claimed too many martyrs; too much blood has been shed in the misguided invocation of God's name for the blessing of violence. It is time that we all choose life, so that we and our children might live."
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