Marking the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq War on 19 March

I have contemplating recently the length of time that has elapsed since the start of the war in Iraq and all that has happened there since then. How could any of us have imagined that five years on our troops would still be out there trying to bring peace to Iraq, and what it has cost us as a nation both monetarily and in terms of those who have lost their lives (on both sides of the war). So I was glad to read this Press Release from the UK Methodist Church and to share it with you.

THE METHODIST CHURCH

NEWS RELEASE
<>
17 March, 2008

Anthea Cox, Methodist Co-ordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice: “The war in Iraq has been far more costly in terms of lives lost than anyone could have imagined. We are acutely aware of the appalling death toll of Iraqi civilians as the country struggles to contain the violence. We are mindful of British troops currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Chaplains who serve alongside them. We are aware of the costly service that they undertake. Our hearts go out to all families who have lost loved ones in the past five years.

“The kidnapping and tragic death of Archbishop Rahho illustrates the extreme danger faced by Christians and other minorities in Iraq today. We are enormously concerned for the Iraqi Christian community and will continue to uphold them in our prayers.

“Following the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq many more people now question whether the invasion was justified and whether this was the only course open to us. It is right that such questions should still be asked today. Iraq has shown us that a military response that seeks to exert control can easily bring further chaos. We need to learn lessons regarding the role of diplomacy, the relationship between the intelligence services and government policy-making and the importance of regional alliances in addressing conflict and post-conflict reconstruction.

“The UK must continue to work with the people of Iraq and offer support. We would ask those with influence to consider how regional powers might be brought together to work on solutions and how to provide security for minorities. We also need to consider how external powers can best help to foster national reconciliation and strengthen political institutions in Iraq.”

For those unfamiliar with the Methodist Church, I would like to share with you th statement 'Our Calling' that lies behind the above statement on the war in Iraq:-

About The Methodist Church
The Methodist Church is one of the largest Christian churches serving Great Britain, with nearly 300,000 members and regular contact with over 800,000 people. It has about 5,800 churches in Great Britain, and also maintains links with other Methodist churches totalling a worldwide membership of 70 million. Its activities, both alone and with ecumenical and secular partners, are based on four aims known as Our Calling:

To increase awareness of God's presence and to celebrate God's love
To help people to grow and learn as Christians through mutual support and care
To be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice
To make more followers of Jesus Christ.