Resolution Against Depleted Uranium Weapons is
Issued by Church of the Brethren General Board

ELGIN, IL///July 13, 2007///A resolution against the use of depleted uranium weapons has been approved by the Church of the Brethren General Board. The action came at a meeting on June 30, held in conjunction with the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.

Declaring the use of depleted uranium weapons to be "a specific and compelling example of the sinfulness of war," the resolution appeals for a halt to their manufacture, lifts up the work of Christian Peacemaker Teams and the World Council of Churches, and directs the Brethren Witness/Washington Office to advocate for elimination of the weapons, among other actions.

Phil Jones, director of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office, introduced the resolution as a partnership with Christian Peacemaker Teams and the World Council of Churches, which have worked against depleted uranium weapons and/or have made statements regarding use of the weapons.

The resolution states that "the primary danger of using depleted uranium in weapons comes from breathing in the depleted uranium dust created by burning or exploded weaponry, or from ingesting depleted uranium dust that has contaminated the food or water supply. A growing body of evidence suggests such exposure may increase a person's cancer risk and cause birth defects."

Among other business, the board received a report naming a lead team of mission workers who will open a new Church of the Brethren mission in Sudan: Jim and Pam Hardenbrook of Nampa, Idaho, and Matt and Kristy Messick of Salida, Colo. A three-member assessment team is currently in Sudan doing preparatory work for the new mission.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts almost 130,000 members across the US and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

CONTACT:

Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
Director of News Services
Church of the Brethren General Board
1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
800-323-8039 ext. 260
cobnews@brethren.org

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