PCUSA leaders try to refute pro-Hezbollah statements

PCUSA leaders try to refute pro-Hezbollah statements

By John H. Adams, The Layman Online, October 21, 2004

Global criticism of the Presbyterian Church (USA) over its position in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has intensified in the wake of statements by Presbyterians friendly to Hezbollah, which the U.S. lists as a terrorist group and blames for the deaths of 270 Americans in two bombings.

The denomination’s national office sought to refute the statements made in southern Lebanon on Oct. 17 by Ron Stone, a member of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy, and Nile Harper, chairman of the committee, during interviews by pro-Palestinian television stations.

“As an elder of our church, I’d like to say that, according to my recent experience, relations and conversations with Islamic leaders are a lot easier than dealings and dialogue with Jewish leaders,” said Stone, a retired professor of Christian ethics at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

“Also, we praise your initiative for dialogue and mutual understanding,” Stone added in comments that were broadcast on Al Manar, Hezbollah’s satellite television network.. “We cherish these statements that bring us closer to you. We treasure the precious words of Hezbollah and your expression of goodwill towards the American people.”

Harper, a retired Presbyterian minister who lives in Ann Arbor, Mich., criticized as “unhelpful” Israel’s defensive separation barrier and said products made by U.S. corporations “are being used destructively against the Palestinians. The occupation by Israel in the West Bank and Gaza must end because it is oppressive and destructive for the Palestinian people.”

The statements by Stone and Harper “do not reflect the official position of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on peace in the Middle East,” according to the response by Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick, Moderator Rick Ufford-Chase and General Assembly Council Executive Director John Detterick. “The reports of this visit should not be interpreted in any way as lessening our deep commitment to continued Jewish-Christian dialogue, Muslim-Christian dialogue, or Jewish-Christian-Muslim dialogue.”

But the Union for Reformed Judaism said the denomination’s response was lacking. “We are deeply disturbed by reports that leaders of the Presbyterian Church (USA) met with and praised leaders of Hezbollah. In light of our recent meetings and conversations, you can imagine how surprised and alarmed we were to hear of these meetings. We were also very troubled by your statement in response. Though you distance yourself by saying that the visit and the comments made at this meeting do not reflect the official position of the Presbyterian Church (USA), you fail to condemn the fact that an official delegation from your church met with a known terrorist entity whose stated enemies are the United States and the state of Israel.”

“By meeting with Hezbollah, the Presbyterian delegation lent legitimacy to what American government officials call the ‘A-Team’ of global terrorists,” the American Jewish Congress said. “In supporting the enemies of reconciliation, the Presbyterian action represents a blow to peace efforts in the region.”

In today’s edition, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, said Stone “has ignited a furor for extolling Hezbollah, a radical Islamic group with a history of terrorist activity.” The newspaper noted that some of Stone’s fellow members at East Liberty Presbyterian Church did not agree with his statements.

The newspaper quoted Jerry Van Marter, director of the Presbyterian News Service, as saying, “”I think it’s safe to say that (Stone’s) statements as reported in the international press cannot help but worsen relations between the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and Jewish groups.”

The PCUSA has been the target of growing criticism from Jewish, Christian and secular groups since the 216th General Assembly approved a resolution calling for withdrawal of denominational funds invested in corporations that do business with Israel. The resolution did not call for any sanctions against Palestinian suicide bombers.

Members of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy helped the General Assembly shape the divestment resolution. Through his membership on the East Liberty Presbyterian Church foundation board, Stone has helped raise money for some of the committee’s leftist causes.

The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy and the General Assembly Council paid for the trip by the Presbyterian delegation.

Earlier this week, Van Marter told The Layman Online that he did not know all of the members of the Presbyterian delegation to the Mideast, but that they included Evan Silverstein, a writer for the news service; Kathy Lueckert, deputy director of the General Assembly Council; Victor Makari, Mideast coordinator for Worldwide Missions; and Sara P. Lisherness, coordinator of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

Van Marter said Silverstein was with the delegation as part of a study break and was not expected to write about the trip.