ELCA Presiding Bishop Asks Church for Conversation about Iraq War

-- As the U.S. Congress debates its response to the dispatch of additional troops to Iraq, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), sent a message Jan. 26 to ordained and professional lay leaders of the ELCA, asking them to engage ELCA congregations in dialogue on the war and to continue to pray for peace.

In his letter, "A Call to Conversation on Iraq," Hanson encouraged ELCA members to engage in the national debate on the nature and direction of the Iraq war with "intentionality, seriousness and vigor."

"We must bring the best insights from our faith, our theology, our experience and our intellect to this challenge, engaging in what will be difficult conversations in our congregations, communities and with our elected officials," Hanson wrote. "I earnestly hope that within all the congregations of this church we, the baptized, will be engaged in prayer and moral deliberation, especially in light of the escalation of violence, the growing casualties on all sides in the war in Iraq and the urgency to seek peace."

Offering the ELCA social statement "For Peace in God's World" and the ELCA message on "Living in a Time of Terrorism" as resources for discussion, Hanson posed a series of questions for congregations to consider, urged them to keep the debate respectful of all perspectives and stressed the importance of modeling such respectful discussion for the nation. "At a time when this country's public discourse has become contentious and people often feel powerless, it is a sign of hope for congregations and communities to engage publicly in civil and moral deliberation," wrote Hanson.

Finally Hanson asked congregations to convey their views to their elected officials as part of the moral deliberation process. "I encourage all of us to dare to struggle with these issues and to share the results of those discussions with our elected representatives," he wrote.

I am writing to you out of my deep concern about the war in Iraq. Our country is engaged in a divisive debate about the nature and direction of this war. It is a war that is taking place both within the context of increasing insecurity in the Middle East and in relation to the unacceptable level of violence and violations of human rights in the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

As the war in Iraq escalates and the way to a lasting peace seems unclear, how shall we who are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America respond?

Each one of us has, as part of our baptismal vocation, the call to "strive for justice and peace in all the world." Pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers have committed themselves to support other Christians in this calling and to live it themselves. Working for peace is part of our shared work in Christ. What does this mean during this critical moment in the life of our country? What does this mean in the life of the world, especially as we consider this country's military and economic power? Together we need to discern what is a just response that will contribute to an enduring peace.

One of the most significant contributions we can make is to engage in this debate with intentionality, seriousness, and vigor. We must bring the best insights from our faith, our theology, our experience, and our intellect to this challenge, engaging in what will be difficult conversations in our congregations, communities, and with our elected officials.

I earnestly hope that within all the congregations of this church we, the baptized, will be engaged in prayer and moral deliberation, especially in light of the escalation of violence, the growing casualties on all sides in the war in Iraq, and the urgency to seek peace. I look to the leadership of this church to assist congregations in doing so.

We have helpful tools that can inform and assist us in these discussions. I encourage you to read again the ELCA Social Statement "For Peace in God's World" and the Message on "Living in a Time of Terrorism." These are rich resources that offer guidance to us during these critical times.

As policy makers discuss how best to conclude the U.S. military presence in Iraq, I believe that there are a number of aspects related to our involvement that compel our response:

* How do we respond to reality of terrorism without letting terrorism become the all-consuming reality?
* How can we reaffirm our witness that all people are created by God and share a unity far deeper than our divisions?
* How can we stay informed about the cost and casualties of this war for all affected, including the Iraqis, while continuing our strong and prayerful support for U.S. military, civilian personnel, and their families?
* What time frame and method should be used both to lessen significantly or to end U.S. military presence in Iraq, and to assist the Iraqi government to address the civil conflict through negotiations, conflict resolution, and reconciliation? How can that government's capacity be expanded to promote and preserve human rights, restore order, and promote the rule of law?
* What opportunities do the present circumstances provide to enable the international community -- through the United Nations and related efforts -- to pursue regional diplomatic initiatives with all governments, including concrete steps that will lead to, rather than jeopardize, peace with justice in the Middle East?
* How has our involvement in the war affected how the U.S. government and we, its citizens, are perceived globally? What have we learned about how we understand ourselves as a country and about how our country lives out its responsibilities in the global arena?
* How can we as Lutherans become better informed about other faith traditions, especially Islam and Judaism? "Windows for Understanding" is an excellent new resource that encourages face-to-face conversations with Muslim and Jewish people in your own communities.

As we discuss the war, I call on each of us to listen to and respect the views of others. At a time when this country's public discourse has become contentious and people often feel powerless, it is a sign of hope for congregations and communities to engage publicly in civil and moral deliberation. Even as the Congress wrestles with its response to the president's new strategy, it is time for us as citizens and members of this church to engage one another. As members of the ELCA we can model our civic responsibility and offer another way to come together with our varied perspectives to discern what we can contribute to the common good and a lasting peace. I encourage all of us to dare to struggle with these issues and to share the results of those discussions with our elected representatives. As our social statement on peace says, in deciding about matters related to war, "we face conflicting moral claims and agonizing dilemmas."

Finally, we must continue to pray for peace, live out our Christian call to be peacemakers, and encourage all those in authority to redouble their efforts to work for peace with justice and the global common good.

In 1958 the memory of WWII had not dimmed, and Vietnam was still widely known as "French Indochina". So the authors of the Lutheran Service Book and Hymnal (SBH) had no qualms about including these prayers:

For those in our country’s service in time of war

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, let your protection be upon all those who are in the service of our country. Guard them from all harm and danger of body and soul. Sustain and comfort those at home, especially in their hours of loneliness, anxiety, and sorrow. Prepare the dying for death and the living for your service. Give success to our arms on land and sea and in the air. And grant to us and all nations a speedy, just, and lasting peace, to the glory of your name and the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For the Armed Forces of our Nation

Almighty and everlasting God, whose providence has given us as a people this great land stored with treasure and around it has cast the sea like a cloak: Bless, we pray, the officers and men and women of our armed forces as they perform the duties of their calling. Give them not only true love of country, but also love of you, and understanding of your love for all humanity, so that, relying on your almighty help, they may promote righteousness, honor, and unity among our people in time of peace, and be a means of fostering mutual respect and understanding among the peoples of the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For Chaplains and all who minister to the sick and wounded

O most merciful Father, who commits to our love and care fellow human beings in their need: Graciously be with and prosper all those who are seeking and ministering to the sick and wounded. Let their ministry be abundantly blessed in bringing ease to the suffering, comfort to the sorrowing, and peace to the dying. And let them know that inasmuch as they do it to the least of these who belong to Christ, they do it to him, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever, and ever. Amen

For Spouse and Families of those called to serve

Have compassion, O Lord, upon all who mourn and upon all who are lonely and desolate. Be their Comforter and Friend. Give them such earthly solace as you see to be best for them. Bring them to a fuller knowledge of your love, and wipe away all their tears; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For Victory

O God, our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble: Protect and prosper our beloved country in this time of war. Make of us, by your grace, a people worthy to be entrusted with victory; and so use, direct and bless our armed forces that they may be your servants in overcoming wrong and establishing liberty, truth, and righteousness in the earth; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen

Against Evildoers

O Lord God Almighty, who alone rids away tyrants and stills the noise and tumult of the people: Scatter, we beg you, the counsels of them that secretly devise mischief, and bring the dealings of the violent to naught. cast down the unjust from high places and cause the unruly to cease from troublemaking. Restrain all envious and malicious passions and subdue the haters and evildoers, that the whole world may have rest before you, and that all nations may serve you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

For Peace

O God, Father in heaven, grant your mighty aid to the efforts of those who seek to establish peace among the nations of the world. Give strength of purpose to those who lead; enlighten those who sit in council; and so transform the hearts of people everywhere by your gracious Gospel, that they may exalt peace above war, service above gain, and righteousness above glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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