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 [Episcopal News Service] Two Episcopalians were part of a delegation of Christian
leaders who traveled to the Islamic Republic of Iran February 19-24 in an
effort to reduce tensions and build bridges between the United States and Iran.
They were Maureen Shea, director of government
relations for the Episcopal Church, and Sister Ellen Francis Poisson, OSH,
an Episcopal priest and sister of the Order of Saint Helena.
The delegation’s final statement called upon the two governments to
immediately engage in direct face-to-face talks; cease using language that
defines the other using "enemy" images; and promote more people to
people exchanges including religious leaders, members of Parliament/Congress,
and civil society.
The full statement follows and is available here.
U.S.
Religious Delegation Finds Hope in Iran
February 25, 2007
As Christian leaders from the United States,
we traveled to the Islamic Republic of Iran at this time of increased tension
believing that it is possible to build bridges of understanding between our
two countries. We believe military action is not the answer, and that God
calls us to just and peaceful relationships within the global community.
We are a diverse group of Christian leaders from United Methodist,
Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Quaker, and Mennonite traditions.
The Mennonites have 17 years of on the ground experience in Iran.
We were warmly welcomed by the Iranian people, and our time in Iran
convinced us that religious leaders from both countries can help pave the way
for mutual respect and peaceful relations between our nations.
During our visit we met with Muslim and Christian leaders, government
officials, and other Iranian people.
Our final day included a meeting with former President Khatami and current
President Ahmadinejad. The meeting with President Ahmadinejad was the first
time an American delegation had met in Iran
with an Iranian president since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The meeting
lasted two-and-a-half hours and covered a range of topics, including the role
of religion in transforming conflict, Iraq,
nuclear proliferation, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What the delegation found most encouraging from the meeting with President
Ahmadinejad was a clear declaration from him that Iran
has no intention to acquire or use nuclear weapons, as well as a statement
that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through political,
not military means. He said, "I have no reservation about conducting
talks with American officials if we see some goodwill."
We believe it is possible for further dialogue and that there can be a new
day in U.S. —
Iranian relations. The Iranian government has already built a bridge toward
the American people by inviting our delegation to come to Iran.
We ask the U.S.United States.
government to welcome a similar delegation of Iranian religious leaders to
the
As additional steps in building bridges between our nations, we call upon
both the U.S.
and Iranian governments to:
- immediately engage in
direct, face-to-face talks;
- cease using language
that defines the other using "enemy" images; and
- promote more people-to-people
exchanges including religious leaders, members of Parliament/Congress,
and civil society.
As people of faith, we are committed to working
toward these and other confidence building measures, which we hope will move
our two nations from the precipice of war to a more just and peaceful
relationship.
J. Daryl Byler
Director, Mennonite Central Committee's Washington Office
Jeff Carr
Chief Operating Officer, Sojourners/Call to Renewal
Ron Flaming
Director of International Programs, Mennonite Central
Committee.
Edward Martin
Director of Mennonite Central Committee's Central and Southern Asia
Program
Jonathan Evans
Special Representative for Iran at the American Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
Mary Ellen McNish
General Secretary, American Friends Service Committee
(Quakers)
Shanta Premawardhana
Associate General Secretary of the National Council of
Churches USA for Interfaith Relations and Director of the NCC Interfaith
Relations Commission
Maureen Shea
Director of Government Relations, The Episcopal
Church.
Patricia Shelly
Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA.
Geraldine Sicola
Associate General Secretary for International
Programs,
American Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
David Robinson
Executive Director of Pax Christi USA
Joe Volk
Executive Secretary, Friends Committee on National
Legislation (FCNL)
James Winkler
General Secretary of the General Board of Church &
Society (GBCS)
The United Methodist Church
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