Iraqi Hostage-Takers Would Assist The Peace Process By Releasing Hostages

Bishop Richard Randerson

The Anglican Dean and Assistant Bishop of Auckland, Bishop Richard Randerson, said tonight that the release of Harmeet Singh Sooden and his Christian Peacemaker colleagues would immeasurably assist the process of peace in Iraq. “Many Christians and others in this country stand with Harmeet’s mother and family in wanting to see his early release from captivity by the hostage-takers in Iraq,” said Bishop Randerson.

“Christians also stand with Muslims and people of other faiths in seeing peace achieved by co-operative human effort as being one of the central implications of their faith. Tragically, acts of violence, whether on a large scale by foreign invading forces, or on a small scale by taking and executing hostages, only deepens hostility and delays the peace process.

“I urge the hostage-takers to take the high moral ground by releasing the innocent non-combatants they have captured and thus take a positive step to build peace. It is the greatest of evils to execute those who work for peace and assist those in need. It is to be hoped that the hostage-takers will be influenced by the same compassion that motivates those they have taken hostage.”

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