MCC letter urges Prime Minister to seek security through justice

Delegates at the Mennonite Central Commitee Canada (MCCC) annual meeting approved a letter to the Prime Minister and urged action on two issues with global implications. They urged the government to implement the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and to reject participation in the Ballistic Missile Defense system (BMD). The delegates also indicated their support and assured the Prime Minister of their prayers.

In the letter, drafted by Bill Janzen of MCC’s Ottawa Office and dated November 27th, the delegates say: “The churches we represent have a longstanding commitment to alleviate suffering and to promote justice and peace in accordance with Biblical teaching.” They acknowledge the Prime Minister’s commitment to international peace and development, illustrated by his recent trip to the Sudan and other places of conflict.

Regarding the Millenium Development Goals, adopted in 2000 by all 189 UN member countries, the letter says the international community has been slow in implementing them even though they are very modest. The letter notes that the first MDG aims merely to reduce by one-half the proportion of the world’s people living on less than one dollar a day. “We urge you to ensure that Canada does its full share toward meeting the MDGs and that Canada press other countries to do likewise.”

Regarding the BMD system, the delegates say: “We are not persuaded that this system can provide security.” The letter expresses concern that the BMD represents a major step away from seeking security through arms control agreements and turns, instead, toward a greater reliance on military might. “In our view, the Biblical call to seek security by doing justice and caring for the needy rather than in ‘chariot and sword’ is profoundly relevant.”

The delegates also drew attention to domestic trends “away from community and moral values”. They said, “religious communities make very substantial contributions to Canadian society” and urged the government to ensure that public policies are respectful of their role.

The delegate body requested that copies of the letter be sent to all Members of Parliament.

For the full text of the letter, see mcc.org.

—MCC Canada