War in Iraq stirred strong actions
and reactions around the world

In a service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City March 20, the day the American-led offensive against Iraq began, Bishop Mark Sisk urged the congregation to “pray for protection against war’s greatest threat — its attack on our souls. Let us pray always that our hearts not be hardened ... against the distant enemy or the stranger in our midst. Let us pray that we not become inured to the price that others pay on our behalf — or to the price that we are asked to pay in liberty for liberty.”

The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church wrote a letter to Episcopalians urging prayer “for one another and for our enemies,” and urged “our congregations to open their doors for prayer and to be places where all can find the hospitality and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.” And as the war continued, churches responded: Doors were opened, candles were lit and voices were raised in earnest petitions for peace.

Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jerusalem and Jordan warned it was clear the war in Iraq would “fan the flames of hatred and extremism around the world.” Echoing the words of Pope John Paul II, he added, “war is a defeat for humanity.” But a senior Anglican bishop, Peter Forster, voiced support for the U.S.-led military action. Forster, who is the bishop of Chester in northwestern England, described the action as “both morally and legally justifiable.”

American Christians struggled with their government’s decision to launch war in Iraq. Bishop George Packard, the Epis-copal Church’s suffragan for chaplains, said “we get lots of e-mails … asking how to think through a position about the war.” He said he has been in conversation with leaders of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship about a paper on “just peace” to present to General Convention this summer.

President Bush announced an end to active conflict on May 1. At the same time that troops who made war paradoxically now work at making peace, war and peace discussions at home will continue.

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