Leaders of the main religious faiths in Britain yesterday insisted that military action in Iraq could only be a limited means to an end and called for a just, lasting and secure peace in the region.
A statement read on the steps of Lambeth Palace by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, surrounded by senior members of the country's other main faiths, called for their communities to continue to show each other respect and harmony. The show of unity followed a similar gesture by the same figures after the terrorist attacks of September 11 2001.
Those taking part, besides Dr Williams, were Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, leader of the Roman Catholic church in England and Wales, the Rev David Coffey, Free Churches' moderator, Jonathan Sacks, the chief rabbi, Zaki Badami, the chairman of the Council of Mosques and Imams UK, and the Rev Esme Beswick, the co-president of the Churches Together in Britain group.
The statement called on God to grant wisdom, judgment and compassion to political and military leaders and insisted that there must be respect for every human being, guaranteed on all sides.
It added: "This is a conflict neither about religion nor between religions. We completely reject any attempt to misrepresent it in this way. As Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in this country, we believe that it is vital, amid so much uncertainty and turmoil, to resist any attempt to drive our communities apart ... we urge all communities to maintain their commitment to this goal, at a time when it may come under strain.
"Although, sadly, the diplomatic road is currently blocked, military action can only be a limited means to an end. We pray that early efforts to achieve a just, lasting and secure peace in Iraq and throughout the Middle East may follow swiftly in the footsteps of war. We urge those with the power to help make real this vision to remain true amid the clamour of conflict to that noble and vital purpose."
Other Christian church leaders called for a swift return to peace. Ian White, the president of the Methodist Conference, said: "The prayers of the Methodist people are for peace and justice in Iraq and across the world. We urge that everything possible will be done to minimise the loss of life."
David Hope, the Archbishop of York, said: "The priority now must be for as speedy a resolution as possible of this crisis."
John Hind, the Bishop of Chichester, added: "War should fill everyone with horror, regardless of our different views on the rights and wrongs of the present conflict. There can be no lasting peace if human dignity is not respected."