The Canadian Council of Churches is the largest ecumenical body in Canada, now representing 21 churches of Anglican, Evangelical, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions.Published 7 months agoIn a letter to the Prime Minister dated 25 Jun 2007, the President, The Rev. Dr. James Christie, and the General Secretary, The Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton, expressed concern for the people of Afghanistan and our shared hope for reconciliation and sustainable peace in that long troubled country. The letter emphasized three points:
- the primary goal of Canadian engagement in Afghanistan must be the pursuit of peace for the people of Afghanistan rather than forwarding the war on terror;
- a political solution for reconciliation among the people of Afghanistan must be found using all available diplomatic means, including engaging civil society and religious networks; and
- the efforts of Canadian Forces must be directed to the protection of lives and the preservation of civilian infrastructure.
A letter signed by a number of Canadian church leaders dated 16 Aug 2007 elaborated on the role of Canadian Forces in Afghanistan: “We believe that The Canadian Forces should focus on enhancing protection of vulnerable Afghans rather than on aggressive engagement with insurgents in areas where the local population is suspicious or alienated from the central government.”
We agree with the Manley Report when it states that this is a complicated situation, and that people of good will and high principles may disagree on how Canada may best proceed in Afghanistan. The Canadian Council of Churches together with Project Ploughshares looks forward to participating in the continued debate on these important issues with their member churches, in Parliament and among Canadians.
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Whooee! I been seein’ a new hyphenated word a coupla times in the past coupla days: Manley-minus.
Manley-minus referes to Harper’s motion on Afghanistan. Dear Leader is cherry-picking Manley’s report. He wants to adopt all the war stuff and leave out all the humanitarian aid stuff.
So far, Canada has spent $6.1 billion on war and and only $741 million on financial aid.
See Bill Doskoch’s report at
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080122/manley_aid_080122/20080122/
Couple that with the fact that about 90% of intended aid money gets siphoned off to graft, bribes and corruption and we’re delivering about 100x more in military effort than in aid effort.
I hope this entreaty by the CCC has some effect. I’m not optimistic, though. Harper has set a course and he’s bound and determined to make war, not peace. Canada’s shame.
JB
I think it always turns around money and increase your money. But there are ways to do that without war. So look at the website: http://www.slimmetjegeld.nl
Sadly, many of the war’s supporters seem to be stuck in the 40s. They consider this and every other military engagement to be a matter of honour, they are convinced that a war like this can actually be won through superior numbers and firepower, and they spit on the very idea of peacekeeping as somehow ‘unmanly’.
This is hardly surprising, though. The military is run by military men who have a vested interest in their own continued relevance, so they will always prefer war over peace.
I’m not optimistic either Jim Bobby, it’s the proverbial signal to noise ratio and would be no matter who is in power.
Statements such as the CCC’s can at least let Ottawa know Canadians are paying attention.
The CCC spoke in 2001 also.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_30_118/ai_80308846
Glyn Berry was the first to die.
Three Canadian military were badly wounded beside him.
The US will continue this war whether NATO is there or not.
Manley-minus, un-manly, we cherry-pick at our shame.
Bill Doskoch’s article provides information we need, and have not been getting. Thank you.