[amc] CHICAGO/TORONTO/IRAQ: We mourn the loss of Tom Fox
- From: "Micheal J. Mc Evoy" <chewy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: AMC List <amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2006 21:04:16 -0600
>>>>> "CPTnet" == CPTnet editor, Webster, NY
>>>>> <CPTnet.editor.guest.445947@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
CPTnet> CPTnet 10 March 2006
CPTnet> CHICAGO/TORONTO/IRAQ: We mourn the loss of Tom Fox
CPTnet> In grief we tremble before God who wraps us with
CPTnet> compassion. The death of our beloved colleague and friend
CPTnet> pierces us with pain. Tom Fox's body was found in Baghdad
CPTnet> yesterday.
CPTnet> Christian Peacemaker Teams extends our deep and heartfelt
CPTnet> condolences to the family and community of Tom Fox, with
CPTnet> whom we have traveled so closely in these days of crisis.
CPTnet> We mourn the loss of Tom Fox who combined a lightness of
CPTnet> spirit, a firm opposition to all oppression, and the
CPTnet> recognition of God in everyone.
CPTnet> We renew our plea for the safe release of Harmeet Sooden,
CPTnet> Jim Loney and Norman Kember. Each of our teammates has
CPTnet> responded to Jesus' prophetic call to live out a
CPTnet> nonviolent alternative to the cycle of violence and
CPTnet> revenge.
CPTnet> In response to Tom's passing, we ask that everyone set
CPTnet> aside inclinations to vilify or demonize others, no matter
CPTnet> what they have done. In Tom's own words: "We reject
CPTnet> violence to punish anyone. We ask that there be no
CPTnet> retaliation on relatives or property. We forgive those who
CPTnet> consider us their enemies. We hope that in loving both
CPTnet> friends and enemies and by intervening nonviolently to aid
CPTnet> those who are systematically oppressed, we can contribute
CPTnet> in some small way to transforming this volatile
CPTnet> situation."
CPTnet> Even as we grieve the loss of our beloved colleague, we
CPTnet> stand in the light of his strong witness to the power of
CPTnet> love and the courage of nonviolence. That light reveals
CPTnet> the way out of fear and grief and war.
CPTnet> Through these days of crisis, Christian Peacemaker Teams
CPTnet> has been surrounded and upheld by a great outpouring of
CPTnet> compassion: messages of support, acts of mercy, prayers,
CPTnet> and public actions offered by the most senior religious
CPTnet> councils and by school children, by political leaders and
CPTnet> by those organizing for justice and human rights, by
CPTnet> friends in distant nations and by strangers near at hand.
CPTnet> These words and actions sustain us. While one of our
CPTnet> teammates is lost to us, the strength of this outpouring
CPTnet> is not lost to God's movement for just peace among all
CPTnet> peoples.
CPTnet> At the forefront of that support are strong and courageous
CPTnet> actions from Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the
CPTnet> world for which we are profoundly grateful. Their
CPTnet> graciousness inspires us to continue working for the day
CPTnet> when Christians speak up as boldly for the human rights of
CPTnet> thousands Iraqis still detained illegally by the United
CPTnet> States and United Kingdom.
CPTnet> Such an outpouring of action for justice and peace would
CPTnet> be a fitting memorial for Tom. Let us all join our voices
CPTnet> on behalf of those who continue to suffer under
CPTnet> occupation, whose loved ones have been killed or are
CPTnet> missing. In so doing, we may hasten the day when both
CPTnet> those who are wrongly detained and those who bear arms
CPTnet> will return safely to their homes. In such a peace we
CPTnet> will find solace for our grief.
CPTnet> Despite the tragedy of this day, we remain committed to
CPTnet> put into practice these words of Jim Loney: "With the
CPTnet> waging of war, we will not comply. With the help of God's
CPTnet> grace, we will struggle for justice. With God's abiding
CPTnet> kindness, we will love even our enemies." We continue in
CPTnet> hope for Jim, Harmeet and Norman's safe return home safe.
CPTnet> Contact:
CPTnet> DR. DOUG PRITCHARD, CPT CO-DIRECTOR 416-423-5525 (CANADA)
CPTnet> REV. CAROL ROSE, CPT CO-DIRECTOR KRYSS-CHUPP 773 277-0253
CPTnet> (USA)
--
Micheal McEvoy St Brigid's Gate Farm
chewy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mahomet, Texas
Micah4 Consulting -- Appropriate Technology for Sustainable Community
"And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice,
and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
-- Micah 6:8
-------
Austin Mennonite Church, (512) 926-3121 www.mennochurch.org
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