New York, NY – March 14, 2014
The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is deeply concerned about the large-scale human suffering in the Central African Republic (CAR) with thousands being killed, up to 1 million people displaced and half of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. However, the WEA is also concerned that national and international media have incorrectly interpreted the root of the crisis in CAR as a religious conflict between Christians and Muslims, thus giving fuel to religious tensions in the country.
“The conflict in the CAR is not a religiously motivated conflict,” stated Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe, Secretary General of the WEA. “The WEA is deeply troubled by the fact that some fighters now refer to their religion to justify their heinous crimes, dividing the country along religious lines.”
The WEA supports and highlights the Bangui Declaration II that was produced on February 4 by church leaders representing over 80% of the Central African population. It states that a military-political crisis has torn apart the social fabric of the country and has brought unimaginable pain, suffering, and sorrow to the people. Socio-political disorder led a number Central Africans to enter into armed rebellion against the State.
The declaration goes on to explain the importance of not misinterpreting the fighting parties as rooted in their religious belonging.
It says: We do not accept the amalgam of labelling of anti-Balaka as “Christian” militia. Indeed the anti-Balaka are the expression of exasperation, with the ongoing atrocities, from a part of the population – mainly young men – that witnessed multiple abuses by Seleka rebels. However, we reiterate that all anti-Balaka are not Christians and all Christians are not anti-Balaka. It is the same for ex-Seleka and Muslims. Incorrect terminology that labels anti-Balaka “Christian militias” must be corrected. This amalgam propagated by national and international media has given a religious connotation to a crisis that is in its core political and military.
The Alliance of Evangelical Churches in CAR, WEA’s national member body, along with representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Islamic Conference of CAR, have been working together to stem the violence, ease the tension, and to reconcile local communities.
“We are encouraged by the bold position of the Church in the Central African Republic, clearly distancing itself from the fighting factions. Rather than fuelling the conflict, religious leaders in the CAR call for restraint, peace, and reconciliation, leading by example,” said Dr. Tunnicliffe, referring to examples of Muslims finding shelter in churches, public meetings involving both Christians and Muslims to convey messages of forgiveness and reconciliation, and other joint reconciliation initiatives.
The WEA calls for prayer for the Central African Republic, for the Church and their efforts of reconciliation and peace building, and for an end to the suffering of the people in CAR, so that they can live side by side without fear and discrimination, and start rebuilding their beloved country.
See also:
Bangui Declaration II : 4 February 2014
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Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving and representing more than 600 million evangelicals. Launched in 1846 to unite evangelicals worldwide, the WEA continues to be a dynamic movement with 7 regional and 129 national Evangelical Alliances, and over 150 member organizations. WEA's mission is to speak as a trusted voice, to equip members and leaders for global impact and to connect its members and others for common action in the furtherance of God’s reign. For more info e-mail at [email protected] or go to Worldea.org.
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