The ecumenical and international 11-member delegation of church leaders met with the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan at Washington D.C., to discuss the future of Iraq on 24th May 2004.

The delegation included church leaders from America, Canada, across Europe and the UK, as well as representative members of the National Council of Churches USA, World Council of Churches, the Middle East Council of Churches, and the All Africa Conference of Churches. The gathering expressed the need for an alternative route to be taken during this position of transition in Iraq, with the change over of power to the Iraqis soon to arrive.

The meeting between Annan and the delegation coincided with the UN Security Council beginning talks on defining the role of the UN in Iraq, and also with President Bush calling for global support in the rebuilding of Iraq in a public announcement.

Leading the delegation was the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, who is the secretary of the National Council of Churches USA, and he said, "We hope President Bush goes public with the U.S. government’s apparent realisation that the peace the United States seeks can only come with international participation."

Dr. Edgar also was quick to stress that the religious leaders within the group had always opposed the arguments for war in Iraq. In particular, after the continued unexpected scandals and issues that have arisen from the conflict, Edgar put forward that others should now support alternative routes in rebuilding the war-torn nation.

"People who were for the war and people who were against the war need to come together to find an alternative way out of the current situation,” said Edgar, "we’ll be watching for indications that the transition to Iraqi sovereignty is genuine and complete.”

Edgar continued, “We expect that the resolution will foster the integrity and unity of Iraq, specify who does what in terms of security, and make clear the role of the United Nations.”

The role that churches must play in the issue was also discussed, and the delegates and Annan both expressed the views that religious leaders will need to emphasise the importance of building a culture of tolerance, and to teach peace, dignity and respect for human rights. They also agreed that while religion can foster conflict and intolerance, the problem is not with faith itself, but with some of the faithful.

To conclude the meeting Dr. Edgar encouraged Annan with a pastoral word: “You are in our prayers. These are difficult times. We wish you strength and courage at this critical moment when your leadership is most needed.”