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Philippine and US churches will discuss war on terrorism
2002-157-6
6/18/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
The death of American missionary Martin Burnham, caught in the crossfire between Philippine security forces and a Muslim rebel group, may make a planned meeting by US and Philippine church leaders to discuss the 'war on terrorism' even more urgent.
'This could strengthen the resolve of church communities in the Philippines to pursue peace,' said David Wildman, who heads the human rights division of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries. He is among participants in an ecumenical conference being planned to examine the issue of terrorism and the new world economy, scheduled for September 23-26. Its goal is 'to draw international attention to the US-declared war on terror as it is played out in the Philippines and Asia,' according to Carmencita Karagdag, a representative of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines and a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches.
Karagdag is a critic of what she calls the 'increasingly aggressive role of the US in the Philippines' in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. 'It is clear that ultimately decisions affecting the Philippines and Asia as a whole are made by American policy makers,' she said at a public forum in New York. 'The American public and especially the churches are in a position to influence or help shape official policies, including foreign policy--and hopefully be able to make a difference.'
The ecumenical conference will be held in Manila, convened by the NCCP, the WCC and the Christian Conference of Asia.
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