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news@ncccusa.org | Most Recent Stories
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Interfaith ministry a model for diplomacy
 New
York City, March 29, 2007
–
The tension between Iran and the United States was on the minds of
many in the international religious community today. The Rev. Dr.
Shanta Premawardhana, associate general secretary for interfaith
relations at the National Council of Churches USA, spoke to nearly
50 leaders from religious non-governmental organizations working on
issues at the United Nations.
"Tensions
can often be creative," said the NCC's Dr. Premawardhana. While he
was speaking directly about work between differing religious
traditions he was pointing also to the necessity to remain in
dialogue when tense issues develop between nations. "We need to
commit to being at the table when things are tense," he said.
Premawardhana was one of 13 Baptist, Episcopal, Quaker, Mennonite,
Roman Catholic and United Methodist religious leaders from the U.S.
who spent a week in Iran last month meeting with religious and
governmental leaders there. The delegation was organized by the
Mennonite Central Committee which has had relationships in Iran
since it engaged in relief work following an earthquake in 1990.
The
delegation earlier this week had called for restoring diplomatic
relations between Iran and the U.S. In a statement, the delegation
said: "The US and Iran should have the same channels as the United
States did with the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War to avoid
circumstances where misunderstandings, accidents, or other
unanticipated events could lead to a military confrontation."
The
statement came following Iran's abduction of British sailors and
Royal Marines in either Iraqi or Iranian waters.
The
religious delegation was engaging in what is called "track two"
diplomacy. It is direct, unofficial and person-to-person diplomacy
that often develops relationships among constituent leaders in
nations that find themselves at odds.
"It is my
hope we see the Iranian religious leaders visit this country to
continue the dialogue," said Premawardhana, speaking in a conference
room overlooking the U.N. complex on Manhattan's east side. The
several story office building, owned by the United Methodist Church,
is home to many religions and faith groups.
"My
second hope is to encourage exchanges between members of the U.S.
Congress and the Iranian Parliament," said Premawardhana.
Many
questions came from representatives of the Bahai International
Community who have grave concerns for Iranian Bahais. Tahirih
Naylor, representative of the Bahai U.N. office, asked if there was
any encouraging news from the delegation about members of their
faith.
"One of
the questions we asked was how a theocratic country can make room
for religious minorities," reported Premawardhana. But he told the
leaders the answers "unfortunately" were eclipsed by the discussions
on nuclear weapons development and the Holocaust denial conference
held in Iran.
Premawardhana said members of the delegation were making contact
with members of Congress reporting on their discussions with the
Iranian ayatollahs and Iran's controversial elected leader,
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The NCC's
Interfaith Relations online ministry,
www.seasonofprayer.org, was
launched to help various faith groups plan religious services for
peace. More resources will be added next week as Jews celebrate
Passover and Christians enter Holy Week leading up to the Feast of
the Resurrection.
The NCC
is the ecumenical voice of America's Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican,
historic African American and traditional peace churches. These 35
communions have 45 million faithful members in 100,000 congregations
in all 50 states.
NCC
News contact: Dan Webster, 212.870.2252,
NCCnews@ncccusa.org. |