October 14, 2004

Washington, DC - More than 700 Protestant and Catholic Americans are urging President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry to provide new strategy for U.S. policy on Colombia. They have sent letters to each candidate calling for a "reassessment" of existing policy.

More than forty years of war in Colombia has devastated the country, killed thousands, and caused the internal displacement of three million people from their land and homes, forcing them to live as refugees in their own nation.

The letters urge a "new strategy" that responds to the needs of both nations by addressing the root causes of Colombia's civil conflict in ways that strengthen the peace and security of people in Colombia and the United States.

The letters are signed by the Presiding Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Episcopal Church, U.S.A., the Presidents of Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief Services, the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and the United Church of Christ, an executive of World Vision, and hundreds of local church leaders from across the country . They say that now is the time for "a greater commitment to a negotiated, political path toward peace." They also call for more "attention to social concerns" and for "humane drug policies that meet the needs of those most directly" affected.

The faith group leaders urge Mr. Bush and Senator Kerry to keep the United States "engaged" with the Colombian government and the organizations of civil society in "a manner that will support aspirations for a just and sustainable peace."

Lutheran World Relief President Kathryn Wolford says, "The United States can make a significant contribution to the long-term sustainability of peace in Colombia by shifting the focus of its aid to that country toward a great emphasis on effective social development." Such development funding, she adds, would acknowledge the efforts of churches as well as local governments and other civil institutions that are "working together for lasting alternatives to violence and the inequality and poverty that sustain it."

The faith groups laud the "great courageof our Colombian brothers and sisters" and point to their "great needs." The letters say their Protestant and Catholic signers "hope to work with" the candidates in a search for "durable solutions" to the problems related to the United States' Colombia policies.

Partial listing of signers

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church, USA; The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick Stated Clerk Presbyterian Church (USA); The Rev. Dr. Robert Edgar General Secretary National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; The Rev. John L. McCullough Executive Director and CEO Church World Service; Bruce Wilkinson Senior Vice President International Programs Group World Vision; Rosanne Rustemeyer, SSND Executive Director U.S. Catholic Mission Association; Carolyn Krebs, OP President Dominican Leadership Dominican Sisters Elkins Park, PA.

Joe Volk Executive Secretary Friends Committee on National Legislation; Maureen Fenlon, OP National Coordinator NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby; The Rev. Ron Stief Minister and Team Leader Washington Office United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Ministries; The Reverend Mark S. Hanson Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; The Rev. John H. Thomas General Minister and President United Church of Christ; Very Rev. Ronald D. Witherup, S.S. President Conference of Major Superiors of Men; Ken Hackett President Catholic Relief Services; Kathryn Wolford President Lutheran World Relief.

The Rev. Kenneth Gavin, S.J. National Director Jesuit Refugee Service/USA; Gail E. Mengel National Board Minister Church Women United; Marie Dennis Director Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; Jim Wallis Editor Sojourners Magazine; James Winkler General Secretary General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church; J. Daryl Byler Director Mennonite Central Committee, Washington Office.; The Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory Director Washington Office Presbyterian Church, (USA); Richard Parkins Director Episcopal Migration Ministries; Krisanne Vaillencourt Executive Director Witness for Peace; Patricia Clark Executive Director Fellowship of Reconciliation USA; Jim Atwood Presbyterian Peace Fellowship.