Originally published Aug. 26, 2013
ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Church USA)—Mennonite leaders recently joined their voices with those of other Christian leaders in a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama about the crisis in Syria.
Highlighting the tragic pain and human suffering caused by the war in Syria, they expressed gratitude for humanitarian assistance and urged the president to apply full diplomatic energies toward a negotiated settlement. The letter urged the president to refrain from military assistance to any parties, stating, “Military involvement will only further escalate an already brutal war and will, in fact, undermine the prospect of negotiations to ensure a just and sustainable future for all Syrians.”
Ervin R. Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, and J. Ron Byler, executive director of Mennonite Central Committee U.S., made this appeal with more than 20 Catholic and Protestant leaders of denominations, religious orders and faith organizations.
The full letter may be read at this link: Faith leaders’ letter to President Obama
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—Mennonite Church USA staff