Christian council condemns war

Jordan's Council of Church Leaders condemned the current US-UK war on Iraq Thursday in a public statement, as the conflict enters its ninth day.

We condemn this unjustified war, which has no international legitimacy ... those engaged will bear a tremendous responsibility in front of God, the people, and history, read the statement made available to The Jordan Times.

In solidarity with the Iraqi people, the statement continued, the council will dedicate Lent (the 40-day period before Easter when Christians do penance and fast) to prayers for peace and justice in both Iraq and Palestine.

We hope God will make the leaders of the world withdraw from their evil and destructive decisions, transforming themselves into peacemakers by removing injustice from the oppressed people of the world, it added.

The council is organising prayers for peace in Iraq and Palestine on Sunday evening at the Holy Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Tlaa Al Ali.

We invite Christians and all those in pursuit of peace to attend, council spokesperson Father Hanna Nour told The Jordan Times.

Jordan is presently home to some 170,000 Christians, representing five per cent of the country's five million citizens.