"The international order and the community of nations built up since 1945 is hanging in the balance," a US church delegation told UN secretary general Kofi Annan at the end of March.

As the Bush administration pursued its preemptive war in Iraq, they emphasized that "churches are committed to strengthening the hand of the UN and the rule of law as the most effective and best available means to achieve a viable order of international peace founded upon justice."

"What happens in Iraq will determine not only the fate of its people but also the fate of multilateralism, internationalism and the role of the UN in safeguarding and promoting them for the generations to come."

"We appreciate your powerful remarks to the Security Council on March 26," the delegation, led by Marian McClure of the Presbyterian Church (USA), told the secretary general. "We commend you for supporting the inspections process, advocating international law, and promoting alternatives to the current violent conflict."

"We share your concern for vulnerable civilians in Iraq whose rights to protection are in jeopardy," they said. "Following twelve years of economic sanctions, this war is all the more devastating."

"A priority question for churches and NGOs is access to all civilians during and after hostilities," they told Annan. Without a "clear distinction between the personnel, operations, and resources of humanitarian and military agencies... impartial aid distribution is in jeopardy."

"Under whose authority will humanitarian organizations operate? The matter must be resolved in a way that maximizes benefits to Iraqi civilians and is consistent with established international humanitarian law."

US protest

They underlined the importance of humanitarian involvement by faith-based non-governmental organizations, "given that this war is too often misunderstood as a conflict between Christians and Muslims."

"As churches, we stand for the dignity of every human being and for the self-determination of all peoples. Our urgent plea is that international humanitarian aid through the UN, member states, and NGOs be coordinated so as to lead as quickly as possible to normal economic and institutional life for Iraqi society. Without a functional economy Iraq will never be able to meet its civilian needs. For the economy to return to normal, Iraqis must regain control over their resources, especially oil, as soon as it is feasible. As well, UN agencies need to avoid establishing a long-term, Iraq-funded UN stake in Iraq."

"The question of funding also leads us to reflect with you on the biblical warnings against keeping what belongs to another," they told Annan. "Iraq's inalienable right to its own natural resources requires affirmation by the UN."

Iraqi child

They urged the institution of a mechanism to monitor human rights during and after the conflict.

"Christian churches take seriously the call in Holy Scriptures to be peacemakers, to heal, to protect the vulnerable, to work for justice and to exercise a ministry of reconciliation," they said.

"Churches differ on whether war is ever acceptable, but we agree that it must be avoided whenever possible, and must never be the usual means to resolve conflicts among nations," the delegation told the secretary general. "We echo the voices of many people in many nations when we thank you for the clarity with which you have stated that an invasion of Iraq without the agreement of the Security Council is a fundamental violation of international law and the UN Charter."

Marian McClure heads the worldwide ministries division of the PCUSA. "One of our objectives in having this meeting was that it would be encouraging to our fellow Reformed Christians everywhere to know that we had expressed these concerns," she told Update.

fleeing Iraqis

"We fully endorse the sentiments expressed [by the delegation] and stand in full solidarity with all who are victims of war and man-made calamities," VS Lall, general secretary of the Church of North India, told Update. "We are confident that peace will soon and surely return to Iraq and the people of Iraq will be able to chart their own destiny without any domination from outside."

"May God continue to bless the PCUSA... and it is our prayer that God's blessings be with us as we unitedly extend his kingdom on earth."

Páraic Réamonn