Posted on 11/11/2005 10:35:02 AM PST by SmithL
WASHINGTON — Ninety-five bishops from President Bush's church said Thursday they repent their "complicity" in the "unjust and immoral" invasion and occupation of Iraq.
"In the face of the United States administration's rush toward military action based on misleading information, too many of us were silent," said a statement of conscience signed by more than half of the 164 retired and active United Methodist bishops worldwide.
President Bush is a member of the United Methodist Church, according to various published biographies. The White House did not return a request for comment on the bishops' statement.
Although United Methodist leadership has opposed the Iraq war in the past, this is the first time that individual bishops have confessed to a personal failure to publicly challenge the buildup to the war.
The signatures were also an instrument for retired bishops to make their views known, said bishop Joseph H. Yeakel, who served in the Baltimore-Washington area from 1984 to 1996. The current bishop for the Baltimore-Washington area, John R. Schol, also signed the statement.
The statement avoids making accusations, said retired Bishop Kenneth L. Carder, instructor at Duke University's divinity school and an author of the document.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Bush will never get re-elected now.
Dang it.
Saddam was our best and strongest ally. Hitler was our best and strongest ally. We would be so much better off if we had just listened to them.
The latest talking points.
I guess the Methodist weren't too involved in the early crusades.
Shut up and preach or serve spaghetti dinners.
I have been wondering what the left would say as it becomes more and more obvious that we are winning and that the Iraqi people are taking pride in their new government.
Now we are finding out.
But ...
"In the face of the United States administration's rush toward military action based on misleading information, too many of us were silent,"...
Isn't this an accusation?
"In the face of the United States administration's rush toward military action based on misleading information, too many of us were silent," said a statement of conscience signed by more than half of the 164 retired and active United Methodist bishops worldwide.
"...asked whether a similar statement had been issued concerning the Kosovo conflict, a UMC spokesman stated, "The bishops are all very busy in their careers, you know, and these kind of statements have to go through channels. As for the Kosovo condemnation, I don't know... you might want to check with the Council for Politically Correct and Hip Causes for the status on that." </sarc>
NCC Vice President: Ms Clare J. Chapman, Executive Director of Finance and Administration, General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, United Methodist Church, New York City, and Chair of the NCC’s Administration and Finance Committee.
The UMC is just following NCC (WCC) marching orders.
I wonder when the bishops of the UMC are going to issue a statement repenting of their complicity in promoting legalized abortion in this country.
Looks like the "revival" was short lived.
The revival never included the bishops. (or at least...the majority of them.)
I wonder if some of them will repent for not believing Jesus literally rose from the dead.
I have been able to avoid our small town's UMC until this happened. I called the 'preacher' about the letter and he started to rant and rave about war as a sin. I try to avoid the rage caused in me by the ignorance and arrogance of the liberals but now am more resolved than ever to advertise on a Sunday in the public area in front of the UMC how these people are aiding our Satanic enemies!! If we dont make a stand in our own communities we are going to lose Everything!!
Saddam has lost 1100 lawyers. Perhaps these UMC bishops will volunteer to take over their duties.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.