ecumenism" "
Solidarity and support for the position assumed against the war in Iraq have been expressed to the National Council of the Churches of the United States (NCC-USA) by the European Council of Christian Churches (KEK or CEK). In a letter sent to the American organization on 31 March, at the end of a meeting held at Stensnäs in Sweden, from 27 to 30 March, the KEK writes: “We recall with respect the testimony of the American Churches against the war already expressed on the occasion of the visit of their delegation to five European capitals to meet the various political leaders and to express to them their concern about the Iraqi crisis. We are grateful that your effort demonstrated that this was not a war between religions. For our part, we are contrary to any form of anti-Americanism. Now that the war has begun, we join in your prayers that it may be brief. We look to the future. The world must not stop thinking of cooperation as a means to solve the problems of humanity”. The letter also makes reference to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The KEK says it is “against this war” and is willing “to work for a peaceful solution of the [Iraqi] crisis. We are of the view that it’s not a war of religion”. At the meeting in Sweden, which brought together all the general secretaries of KEK’s member churches for their annual assembly, discussion also focused on mission and religious co-existence in Europe. The assembly was chaired by Keith Clements, general secretary of the Council.
