Tele-Press Conference: Prominent Religious Leaders to Discuss Christian Peace Witness
3,000 Christian from Across America Coming to D.C. to Worship and Protest to End Iraq War
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Washington, D.C. – Nationally prominent peace activists and faith leaders from the Baptist, Episcopal, Mennonite, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches will hold a press teleconference on Monday, March 12 at 2 p.m to discuss what is expected to be the largest expressly Christian war protest to take place since the War in Iraq began four years ago.
More than 3,000 Christians from across the country are coming to DC next Friday for the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq: an ecumenical worship at Washington National Cathedral, followed by a candlelight procession to the White House, where hundreds of Christians will participate in a massive act of civil disobedience and thousands of Christians will surround the White House with the light of peace.
Rick Ufford-Chase, Bishop Gabino Zavala, Marie Dennis, Daryl Byler, Evelyn Hanneman, and Bishop Michael Curry will draw on the lessons of Scripture to lift up a prophetic Christian call to end the occupation, improve and internationalize reconstruction, end torture, and provide support for our veteran and troops. The President and Congress have not heeded the will of the people on these matters, and Christians are uniting to say that escalation, exploitation and human rights abuse flout the teachings of Christ and the prophets. They will also speak about the extraordinary collaboration of more than 25 Christian groups to create the Christian Peace Witness.
What: Teleconference with prominent faith leaders on Christian Peace Witness for Iraq; each will address aspects of Iraq policy that must change.
Who:
Rick Ufford Chase, convener of Christian Peace Witness for Iraq’s steering committee and former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, will moderate the discussion.
Bishop Gabino Zavala, president of Pax Christi USA and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, will discuss the need for an end to the occupation of Iraq.
Marie Dennis, Director of Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, will discuss real support for the troops.
Daryl Byler, director of the Mennonite Central Committee’s Washington, DC office, will discuss the rebuilding of Iraq.
Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church, will discuss America’s use of torture.
Evelyn Hanneman, Interim Coordinating Director of Baptist Peace Fellowship, will discuss the unjust use of resources caused by the war.
WHEN: Monday, March 12, 2007 at 2 p.m. Eastern
WHERE: Call-in number: 1-641-297-5800, Password: 31207
SPONSOR ORGANIZATIONS: Adventist Peace Fellowship, American Friends Service Committee, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, Brethren Witness, Catholic Peace Fellowship, Christian Alliance for Progress, Christian Peacemaker Teams, Disciples Justice Action Network, Disciples Peace Fellowship, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Every Church a Peace Church, Faith in Public Life; Kairos: A Time to Speak, A Time to Act; Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center, Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Lutheran Peace Fellowship, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Methodist Federation for Social Action, Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA, National Council of Churches, No2Torture, On Earth Peace, Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service, Pax Christi USA, Pentecostal Charismatic Peace Fellowship, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Protestants for the Common Good, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries, Sojourners/Call to Renewal.
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Please visit Christian Peace Witness for Iraq for more information
Faith in Public Life is a communications and organizing resource center for faith leaders sharing a call to pursue justice and the common good. Faith in Public Life is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization.
CONTACT: Katie Barge, Faith in Public Life, 202-481-8147 kbarge@faithinpubliclife.org Dan Nejfelt 202-745-4654 dnejfelt@sojo.net
