Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ lift their prophetic and pastoral voices for peace in Nicaragua
On June 12th, 2018, the General Ministers and Presidents of both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada and the United Church of Christ in the U.S., and representatives of Global Ministries sent a letter to Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes. Rev. Dr. Terri Owens, Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, Rev. James Moos and Rev. Angel L. Rivera Agosto, expressed their solidarity with the process of the National Committee for Dialogue between the civil society and the Government, in the midst of the social crisis the country is living through these past days. Below is the letter.
June 12, 2018
Your Excellency Cardinal Leopoldo José Brenes Solorzano,
President Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua, Managua Nicaragua
Grace and peace of the Lord for this time of crisis and challenges for the people of Nicaragua.
We, the General Ministers and Presidents of both the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada and the United Church of Christ of the United States, as well as the Co-Executives of Global Ministries and Global Ministries´Area Executive for Latin America and the Caribbean, express to you our pastoral solidarity in the significant mission to lead the National Dialogue of Nicaragua, especially among the sectors that make up the Alliance of Civil Society for Justice and Democracy and the Government Delegation.
We have been informed of the problematic situation suffered by the people through the Preliminary Report of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the OAS and Amnesty International. On that report, it is noted that more than 100 students have lost their lives. It is also said that hundreds of them have been wounded, disappeared and detained arbitrarily as a result of them exercising the right to protest and to question governmental decisions that affect people in general, but especially the elderly and the poorest of the Nicaraguan society. We also have been informed in this way of the pastoral ministry of the Evangelical Churches ministering to mothers and families who have lost their children, as well as pastoral counseling and prayers of intercession.
In the name of Christ, we express our support to lead the National Dialogue for a peaceful solution to this socio-political crisis that overwhelms the people of Nicaragua. We join the requests of the Episcopal Conference, its priests, the Evangelical Churches and their pastors for the parties in controversy to stop the repression of the protesters and peaceful marches. Also, we urge the parties to refrain from oppression in neighborhoods and rural communities; to cease the arbitrary detention of students, and to give continuity of the work of the National Dialogue until a fruitful result comes out of it.
We subscribe to you, to our brothers Bishops and priests, as well as to the parties that compose the National Dialogue, affirming us together in the proclamation of the Gospel of Peace, the wisdom, and communion of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ,
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Rev. Dr. Terri Hord Owens |
Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer |
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Rev. Julia Brown Karimu |
Rev. Dr. James Moos, Executive Minister |
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Rev. Angel L. Rivera-Agosto |