Letter: Area clergy open dialogue for peace, cooperation

To the Editor-

Violence grows where there is fear. Fear grows where there is ignorance. And ignorance grows in the absence of dialogue. Too many times religions have been part of this problem rather than part of its solution.

In the name of preaching the truth, we have too often stifled dialogue, increased ignorance of one another, fed fear, and even condoned violence.

Moved both by the terrible violence in our land, the courage of so many peaceful protesters, and the convictions of our faith traditions, we pastors of churches in Portage County break our silence and condemn racism, in others and in our selves. We make public our commitment to join in the search for peace by working for justice.

As a first step, we open up a dialogue between our churches to dispel ignorance, cast out fear and stop feeding prejudice and racism. We pray that Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, and Catholics coming together in a spirit of understanding and cooperation will aid in the coming together of black, white, Latino, Asian, and Native peoples where justice is pursued and leads us all into the peace and joy the Creator desires us to have.

Pastor Ben Sheets
Pastor Leah Woehr-Grande
Pastor David Ficken
Pastor Jane Johnson
Pastor Rober Terrell
Pastor Tim O’Brien
Pastor Susan Gilbert Zencka
Father Steve Brice

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