Letter Asks Canadian Officials to Help Middle East

The Christian Reformed Church has joined more than 20 other faith groups in Canada in signing a letter calling on Canadian government officials to take action to stop the ongoing bloodshed in the Middle East.

Written and distributed by the Canadian Council of Churches, the letter brings together many church voices in addressing a number of volatile and ongoing conflicts causing death and disruption and threatening even more problems in countries across the Middle East.

Although its focus is on the widespread destruction, it also serves a significant, ecumenical purpose.

"This is a positive letter and strong voice for justice and a positive reflection of Christian unity," says Ben Vandezande, interim director of the CRC's Canadian Ministries, who signed the letter on behalf of the CRC.

In a press release, Peter Noteboom, deputy general secretary of Canadian Council of Churches says that 24 of its 24 member churches have endorsed the letter.

As it turns out, he says, the governing board of the Council of Churches is meeting this week with representatives of the government and political parties, and will be speaking to them about the letter.

Focusing on multiple crises in the Middle East, the letter was addressed to The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada.

Among other things, the letter says:

“With heavy hearts, we note the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Syria, its need for international support and cooperation throughout its territory, the threats there to Christian  churches and schools, and the recent abduction of church leaders; the uncertainty and turmoil with democratic transitions in Egypt; the unresolved decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and the rising tensions and stresses within and between various countries in the region.

“We are concerned for the safety and security of all the people in the region but in particular, the weak, vulnerable and powerless.

“The spread of sectarian violence puts all generations throughout the region at risk, and are a menace to the hopes and dreams of the younger generations.

“We write to encourage you and the Government of Canada to respond robustly and generously to the pressures and tensions experienced by both displaced peoples and by the host countries in the region that provide refuge; to lead in the protection of human rights with special attention to the rights of children, women and minority groups; to hold firm to the obligation for all state and non-state actors to respect international law, particularly in situations of armed conflict; and to assist us in our efforts as churches to work with local peacemakers and providers of humanitarian assistance in the region.”

To view the full text, a prayer and a list of those who signed the letter, click here.