National Council of Churches urges Obama to restore stability to
Armenians of Kessab
11:56 29.03.2014
The National Council of Churches (NCC) has sent a letter to President
Barack Obama expressing concern about the plight of Christian
communities in Syria specially the depopulation of Armenian community
of Kessab, stating: "While Syrians of all religious communities are
caught up in this horrible conflict, of particular concern to us are
the Christian communities, which are often the most vulnerable,"
Massis Post reports.
"One situation that has just come to our attention is the attack on
the Armenian villages of Kessab. Though this attack comes in the wider
context of the overall Syrian conflict, it nevertheless has brought
death and destruction to the Christian communities there," the NCC
letter reads in part. The letter specifically urged the President to
"safeguard the vulnerable Christian communities" and to "restore
stability to the Armenian communities of Kessab."
Founded in 1950, the NCC has been a leading force for ecumenical
cooperation among Christians in the United States. The 37 NCC member
communions - from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox,
Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches -
include 45 million persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in
communities across the nation.
Following is the full text of the letter signed by James Edward
Winkler, President and General Secretary and A. Roy Medley, Chair,
National Council of Churches:
"Dear President Obama,
The National Council of Churches has been, since its inception, an
advocate for peace in the Middle East. No matter the particular
circumstances that have prompted our call for specific actions to
bring about peace over the years, our position has been very much
guided by the perspective of our church partners living in the region.
One of the most violent crises in today's Middle East is the ongoing
conflict in Syria. While Syrians of all religious communities are
caught up in this horrible conflict, of particular concern to us are
the Christian communities, which are often the most vulnerable.
One situation that has just come to our attention is the attack on the
Armenian villages of Kessab. Though this attack comes in the wider
context of the overall Syrian conflict, it nevertheless has brought
death and destruction to the Christian communities there. Those
Christians that managed to escape the carnage are now living as
refugees.
On behalf of the National Council of Churches, we would urge you to be
vigilant in your efforts to end the Syrian conflict, and among these
efforts find a way to especially safeguard the vulnerable Christian
communities, and particularly to restore stability to the Armenian
communities of Kessab. With membership in the Council that includes
churches with roots in the Middle East, including the Armenian
community, we stand ready to assist you in these efforts in whatever
way we can."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/03/29/national-council-of-churches-urges-obama-to-restore-stability-to-armenians-of-kessab/
From: A. Papazian
Armenians of Kessab
11:56 29.03.2014
The National Council of Churches (NCC) has sent a letter to President
Barack Obama expressing concern about the plight of Christian
communities in Syria specially the depopulation of Armenian community
of Kessab, stating: "While Syrians of all religious communities are
caught up in this horrible conflict, of particular concern to us are
the Christian communities, which are often the most vulnerable,"
Massis Post reports.
"One situation that has just come to our attention is the attack on
the Armenian villages of Kessab. Though this attack comes in the wider
context of the overall Syrian conflict, it nevertheless has brought
death and destruction to the Christian communities there," the NCC
letter reads in part. The letter specifically urged the President to
"safeguard the vulnerable Christian communities" and to "restore
stability to the Armenian communities of Kessab."
Founded in 1950, the NCC has been a leading force for ecumenical
cooperation among Christians in the United States. The 37 NCC member
communions - from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox,
Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches -
include 45 million persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in
communities across the nation.
Following is the full text of the letter signed by James Edward
Winkler, President and General Secretary and A. Roy Medley, Chair,
National Council of Churches:
"Dear President Obama,
The National Council of Churches has been, since its inception, an
advocate for peace in the Middle East. No matter the particular
circumstances that have prompted our call for specific actions to
bring about peace over the years, our position has been very much
guided by the perspective of our church partners living in the region.
One of the most violent crises in today's Middle East is the ongoing
conflict in Syria. While Syrians of all religious communities are
caught up in this horrible conflict, of particular concern to us are
the Christian communities, which are often the most vulnerable.
One situation that has just come to our attention is the attack on the
Armenian villages of Kessab. Though this attack comes in the wider
context of the overall Syrian conflict, it nevertheless has brought
death and destruction to the Christian communities there. Those
Christians that managed to escape the carnage are now living as
refugees.
On behalf of the National Council of Churches, we would urge you to be
vigilant in your efforts to end the Syrian conflict, and among these
efforts find a way to especially safeguard the vulnerable Christian
communities, and particularly to restore stability to the Armenian
communities of Kessab. With membership in the Council that includes
churches with roots in the Middle East, including the Armenian
community, we stand ready to assist you in these efforts in whatever
way we can."
http://www.armradio.am/en/2014/03/29/national-council-of-churches-urges-obama-to-restore-stability-to-armenians-of-kessab/
From: A. Papazian