Title: General Minister and President Issues Pastoral Comment on Kosovo Crisis
Date: April 26, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
99a-29
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- In a "pastoral word" to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm says there are two clear actions committed North American Christians can take regarding the conflict in Kosovo.
"First," Hamm says, "we can speak and pray for an early end to the NATO bombing and the Serbian abuse of those Kosovars still in Kosovo coupled with a return to the negotiating table." He encouraged prayer that NATO leaders will gain the wisdom to speak and act in ways that will de-escalate the fighting and contribute to a just peace. The Disciples general pastor also called for prayer for refugees and all who are victimized by the fighting, and prayer that the war will not spread to adjacent countries.
Hamm also encouraged gifts to the Week of Compassion, the relief and human development ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Week of Compassion is supporting the work of Church World Service and Action by Churches Together, whose partners are bringing relief assistance and pastoral care to refugees.
In his communique, the GMP said it appears that NATO bombing in the region is a strategic failure. It has "served merely to displace many hundreds of thousands of refugees and strengthen the political hand of Mr. Milosevic. I have added my voice to those who are calling for a cease-fire, the end of ethnic cleansing and the resumption of talks," Hamm said.
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[Editors: the full text of the Rev. Hamm's pastoral communication accompanies this release.]
April 21, 1999
A Pastoral Word from Richard L. Hamm, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada
I have been slow to publish a statement about the situation in Kosovo because, like so many others, I have been unclear about what is the "right thing" for NATO to do. I am always disappointed when diplomacy gives way to military action. On the other hand, standing by and watching what was happening in Kosovo apart from NATO action was also difficult.
It now appears that the bombing is a strategic failure which has served merely to displace many hundreds of thousands of refugees and to strengthen the political hand of Mr. Milosevic. I have added my voice to those who are calling for a cease fire, the end of ethnic cleansing and the resumption of talks.
At this point, we have two clear actions that we can each take as committed North American Christians. First, we can speak and pray for an early end to the NATO bombing and the Serbian abuse of those Kosovars still in Kosovo coupled with a return to the negotiating table. Included in these prayers should be intercession for the leaders of the NATO pact nations that they may receive the wisdom to speak and act in ways that will de-escalate the war and contribute to a just peace. We ought also to pray that the war will not spread to adjacent countries. Obviously, we also need to be praying for the refugees and all of those who are caught up in this tragic conflagration.
Second, we can contribute money to the Week of Compassion, through which we can support relief efforts in the several countries around Kosovo that are receiving huge numbers of refugees. Week of Compassion is supporting the work of Church World Service and Action by Churches Together, whose partners are not only working tirelessly around the clock to bring relief assistance and pastoral care to thousands of weary refugees, but have already been working in the region for several years. Our contributions to Week of Compassion will be used promptly, wisely and in their entirety to respond to the immense and immediate physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the refugees. Please send your gifts to Week of Compassion, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
Shalom, Richard L. Hamm