Vv.
THE CHURCH
IN TUL MARSIUALLS
..e Church in the Marsnail Islands has prayed and will apoearently
ecintinue to play a nurturing and comforting role rather than one of
advocacy.
In this fraqmented society the church is a relatively strong, self:oliant indigenous institution where people can come together in
spite of their division.
In communities where virtually all persons
belong to the church, and where virtually ail members of the local
caovernment councils are church people, it is the custom to speak
on political and economic matters through civic channels.
while we have
regretted that a clear,
official church
statement
has not come forward from the Marshalls on these concerns, many
church people have spoken out, and we must trust the churches of
coe Marshalls to find their own appropriate official way of response.
We were at ali times made to feel that the concern represented by
the visit was much neeced and deeply appreciated. The Marshallese
ceople want the world to know what has happened to them. They want
the whole Church to pray for them and to speak out on their behalf:
fcr
their health and welfare;
their
rendence and integrity as a people.
VI.
long-term security;
their
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CRITICAL ISSJES TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT
AND THE INTER IATIONAL COMMONITY
1.
While this resort is openly critical of US policy and practice
in the Marshall Islands, we must point out that this situation
is in a deep sense just a part of the wider problem of the global
arms race. The alleviation of the difficulties of the Marshallese
people will depend largely upon reducing the need for continued
strategic weapons tests. Our response as a global church must be
seen in relation to the biblical mandate for peacemaking.
2.
Ordinary people in the Marshall Islands consistently told us that
the regional and world church must continue to make people more
aware of what is happening there. The churches shoulda continue
to play a responsible role in strengthening the accountability
of the United States and the United Nations for what is happening
in the Pacific Island Trust Territory. We should continue to seek
guidance from the churches of the Marshalls in fulfilling this
role,
2.
Long-term questions of political status are cspecially critical
at this moment in history. Unreso¥fed health,
land and economic
problems will tend to influence long-term political decisions.
It is important that there be a maximum of open public discussion
on the proposed new political status. The churches, both within
and outside of the Marshalls, should seek to play a constructive
role in this process, particularly in raising value questions.
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