WASHINGTON – The National Council of Churches joins with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in congratulating Rabbi Jonah Pesner upon his installation as RAC’s new Director. Rabbi Pesner’s directorship was celebrated with prayers and a reception today in Washington, DC. He is the second Director of the RAC in its history, following the 40-year tenure of founding Director Rabbi David Saperstein, recently appointed as the U.S. Ambassador for International Religious Freedom.

“The Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism is one of the Washington religious community’s most important institutions, and a long-time friend and ally of the National Council of Churches,” said General Secretary Jim Winkler, “and we are pleased to sell Rabbi Pesner taking leadership.”

NCC Associate General Secretary Dr. Tony Kireopoulos added, “Rabbi Pesner brings a strong, progressive Jewish voice that is much needed in the world today.”

Associate General Secretary Aundreia Alexander, who attended Rabbi Pesner’s installation service today stated, “I was moved by the words of commendation and the prayers offered this morning. The leadership of Rabbi Saperstein was key to the RAC’s first forty years; we add our prayers to those of many others in the hopes that God will bless Rabbi Pesner’s leadership in this next phase of the RAC’s advocacy on behalf of those who seek justice.”

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is a long-time friend of the National Council of Churches and a partner in our interfaith dialogues.

April 24 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Armenian Genocide, which took place in Turkey from 1915 to 1923. Denied as genocide by the Turkish Government and characterized by it as merely part of the general violence of World War I, remarkably the United States has not yet officially recognized this horrific episode in history as genocide. As the world commemorates the 100th anniversary of this tragedy, the National Council of Churches expresses its profound disappointment that President Obama, while calling for a “full, frank and just acknowledgement of the facts,” has refrained from identifying it as genocide.

NCC president and general secretary Jim Winkler said that such an acknowledgement includes the use of the word genocide: “At this moment, I am in Armenia for events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the genocide. Church leaders from around the world have gathered here in solidarity with the church and people of Armenia. I am more aware than ever before of how important it is for people of good will everywhere to stand up and name genocide for what it is.”

The National Council of Churches has long been involved in work to counter genocide, mass atrocities and other crimes against humanity. This work continues through the organization’s involvement in United to End Genocide, for which NCC associate general secretary Tony Kireopoulos has served as board chair. “The Armenian genocide is widely acknowledged to be the first genocide of the last century,” Kireopoulos said. “The most recent genocide was Darfur, and the threat of other genocides looms large in yet other contexts today. Therefore, our work to end genocide is not over, but it begins with an honest appraisal of what has happened in the past.”

The National Council of Churches will be issuing a formal statement commemorating the Armenian Genocide on May 7, when the NCC governing board and church representatives to the NCC Christian Unity Gathering will join Armenian-Americans and others from around the world for the US service at the Washington National Cathedral to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.

WASHINGTON: The National Council of Churches condemns the ISIS attack against Assyrian Christian villages in northeastern Syria. This time, in addition to killing many and forcing others to flee, the terrorist group kidnapped some 150 people, women, children and the elderly. Some reports indicate as many as 400 were kidnapped. Among the captives are reported to be Christian priests. The fate of the captives is currently unknown.

Assyrian Christians trace their ethnic roots in the region back 6,000 years, and their religious roots to the early centuries of the Christian era. The language of their communal worship is Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus. Despite experiencing difficulties within the wider society throughout the centuries, the Assyrian community has maintained a vital presence in the region for all this time; like other Christians in the region, they have emigrated in large numbers in recent years due to the ongoing violence there. With the rise of ISIS, their very existence, as demonstrated by this latest attack, is now threatened.

“The present atrocity of the ISIS ideologues against the Assyrian Christians in the Khabur region is akin to a modern-day religious genocide,” stated His Grace Bishop Mar Awa Royel, Secretary of the Holy Synod and ecumenical officer of the Assyrian Church of the East. “The international community cannot simply remain silent about this atrocity. Concrete steps need to be taken to ensure the safe return of those detained and the security of the many hundreds of families who are now displaced, driven from their homes.”

Jim Winkler, General Secretary of the NCC, echoed this call to the international community. In addition, he stated that “This kind of barbarity, again displayed by ISIS, is unconscionable, and inconsistent with any genuinely faithful expression of religious identity.” His comment is set within the context of the NCC view that, while ISIS is built upon extremist interpretations of their faith, it has absolutely no credible claim to mainstream Islam.

Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, Associate General Secretary of the NCC, expressed the sorrow of the organization’s members in light of this recent attack against the Assyrian Christians. “The Assyrian Church of the East, an ancient and venerable community of Christians, is a friend of the NCC. We grieve with our colleagues here in the US, whose families and friends are impacted by this act of terror.”

This latest ISIS attack comes after the execution of Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya, a Muslim soldier from Jordan, and others. It also follows killings perpetrated by followers of ISIS’ ideology in France and Belgium. Among the victims in Europe were Jews. When taken together with the group’s persecution of Christians of other traditions, Shi’ite Muslims, and Sunni Muslims who do not ascribe to their interpretations, it is clear that violence rooted in this form of extremist Islamic ideology is targeted against all who disagree with it. It would also seem that this latest attack is another step by ISIS taken toward fulfilling their threat, made when executing the Coptic Christians, against Christianity and the west in general.

WASHINGTON: The National Council of Churches is troubled by the plans for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address the United States Congress next month.  We call upon House Speaker John Boehner to rescind his ill-advised invitation, or, in the absence of Mr. Boehner’s decision to do so, we urge Mr. Netanyahu to cancel his address.

We agree with the multitude of commentators who have noted that this is an extraordinary breach of protocol, and that it is unacceptable for a foreign leader to circumvent normal diplomatic channels, or be allowed by others in leadership to circumvent them, and thereby disrespect the Office of the President of the United States.  We support those who have decided not to attend, like Vice President (and President of the Senate) Joseph Biden and Representative John Lewis.

President Barack Obama has stated that it is the position of the United States to refrain from allowing access to US Government leaders to influence elections in other countries.  With Israeli elections next month, just two weeks after the proposed Congressional address, Mr. Boehner has disregarded this position, by offering Mr. Netanyahu a platform almost like no other in the final days of his campaign for reelection.  This is lamentable enough.  What is more egregious is the tacit support this gives to Mr. Netanyahu’s policies, including unbridled settlement building and expansion into Palestinian territory. Whether stated or unstated, this amounts to support for policies that erode the chances for a genuine two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is the official position of the United States, and which is the only viable means to establish a just peace.  To support policies that militate against peace is thus morally indefensible.

At the same time, Mr. Boehner is giving Mr. Netanyahu a platform from which to directly contradict the position of the Administration with regard to negotiating a nuclear agreement with Iran.  While there may be different perspectives on this matter, Mr. Boehner’s invitation would seem to be a partisan move to further the position of critics of these negotiations.  Again, there are moral implications to this move.  The NCC has long advocated for engagement with the Iranian Government, especially with regard to the nuclear question, as engagement is the best means to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation.  To create a high-profile event using the presence of the Israeli Prime Minister to inveigh against these negotiations is therefore to take a stand against the prospects for peace. Again, this is morally indefensible.

The National Council of Churches Stands with Muslims in Condemning French Attack

The National Council of Churches joins the world in expressing outrage upon the news of the killings of the 12 employees of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. We condemn the killings, along with any ideology that seeks to silence voices of comment and criticism, especially with the use of extremist violence fueled by political ideology or misguided religious zeal. We also defend the rights of those who critique even that which is deemed sacred and untouchable to others, even as we ask that this critique always take place in a spirit of charity because of the inherent sensitivities.

At the same time, we fear that this defense of free expression may feed anti-Muslim sentiment and bring further division between Christians and Muslims.  We are also aware that this same defense of free expression may be further misinterpreted by extremists as being against Islam itself. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, as we speak out against this act of senseless violence and its perpetrators, we join with Muslims across the globe who are also horrified by this evil.

“Around the world, millions of Muslims have struggled against oppression in their own societies in order to obtain the very rights that the Paris attackers have attempted to silence,” said NCC President and General Secretary James Winkler. “These freedoms are treasured by people of faith everywhere, except by those who follow politically motivated ideologies that seek to violently to stifle them and sow seeds of fear.”

NCC Associate General Secretary for interfaith relations Tony Kireopoulos said, “Freedom of expression is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society, and we condemn, not only the attack on the victims of the violence, but the attack on this fundamental right.” He added:  “Likewise, freedom of religion is another cornerstone of a democratic society. Therefore we also stand against those who would use this occasion to avenge this attack by perpetrating violence against Muslims in our own communities. We’ve seen it before, we do not want to see it again.”

The National Council of Churches is a partner with the Shoulder-to-Shoulder campaign, an effort to resist Islamophobia. We also co-sponsor the National Muslim-Christian Initiative, an ongoing dialogue between Muslim and Christians.

“Tragedies like these, and the unfortunate aftermath that usually follows, underscores the importance of efforts like the ongoing Muslim-Christian Dialogue,” said NCC Chair Roy Medley.  “We are always pleased to work with our dialogue partners, people who show forth the true nature of faith.”

One of our dialogue partners and a co-convener of the dialogue, Naeem Baig of the Islamic Circle of North America and the Moderator of Religions for Peace USA, said in response to the killings: “All of the world’s religions are founded on messages of peace and condemn violence. What makes this attack particularly egregious is its attempt to threaten the fundamental human right of freedom of speech.”

The National Council of Churches is proud to join with a multitude of voices calling people worldwide to stand together and use this attack as an opportunity to engage in dialogue and peacemaking.

We live in the hope expressed by the prophet Isaiah:

Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to live in.

-Isaiah 58:12

The National Council of Churches is a fellowship of Christian communions that seeks justice for all and stands with all those who are oppressed. We are in partnership with pastors and congregations who are preaching, seeking justice, and providing pastoral care in Ferguson’s churches in the midst of the current tensions. We celebrate the long-standing presence of members and leaders of this community that care for, and have cared for, the welfare of their congregations and the community at large. We are led by their love and by their stories and counsel. We are also inspired by the young people who, in their quest for justice, are embodying a faith and courage that we find to be an example to our churches.

We join the community of Ferguson, and all of those who seek justice and fairness for all people. We applaud those who practice the very best in Christian tradition by responding through prayer and non-violent, peaceful action, and we join with other faith traditions who urge the same. It is our hope that the city and its citizens, churches, law enforcement officials, justice-seekers, and media, will all be shepherded by the teaching of Jesus to love God and to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Love of God and neighbor motivates us to seek justice and fairness for everyone. We wish to see a society in which young people “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.).” This vision is jeopardized by issues that revolve around mass incarceration. The trend toward privatization of prisons creates monetary incentives for incarcerating people for minor crimes, the vast majority of which are young black men. The national militarization of local policing increases the likelihood of grave injustice. Time and time again we are witnessing the use of lethal force against unarmed persons.

Loving neighbor does not include exploiting others. We call those who exploit emotions surrounding this grand jury action in ways that bring further division to consider their motivations and act compassionately. We urge all parties, in all things, to be guided by the words of the apostle Paul, that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things (Galatians 5:22-23).” Where the Spirit of God is, God motivates us to live this way.

Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is also the presence of justice. Peace is found in the ability to dialogue, to see each others’ side, and to come to a point where relationships are transformed from those of conflict to conversation. The bridge between justice and peace is mercy and grace, and as people of faith, we affirm this bridge, and that the Church, its pastors, and its members, must be those who proclaim it.

In the weeks that will follow these days of anger, indignation, and accusation, we call for peace — one full of robust love that utilizes our best qualities as human beings. We call on the member communions of the National Council of Churches in Ferguson to stand in solidarity with the community to seek liberty and justice for all.