Episcopal Press and News
Release Prompts Browning, Runcie, Waite Statements
Episcopal News Service. August 7, 1986 [86165]
SAN FRANCISCO (DPS, Aug. 7) -- Fresh from escorting newly-freed hostage Father Lawrence Jenko to Rome and Canterbury, Anglican envoy Terry Waite remains hopeful that he will be allowed to continue to work for the release of more prisoners held in Lebanon.
Waite, Archbishop Robert Runcie's special representative for Anglican and Interfaith affairs, was waiting for Jenko in Damascus after the Roman Catholic missionary was released by Lebanon's Islamic Jihad for "health and humanitarian reasons." After a family reunion and medical exam in Germany, Waite and Jenko journeyed to Rome and Canterbury to deliver messages which Jenko said the Islamic group had given him.
Later, the Islamic faction vehemently denied the existence of any messages in a statement that seemed to close the door on negotiation for at least three Americans, as well as British, French and Koreans caught in the web of factional fighting and civil war in Lebanon.
It was following that statement that Waite met in San Francisco with Runcie and Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning, and all three spoke of the recent events.
Browning pledged "the spiritual, human and material resources" of the Episcopal Church in support of Waite as he continues to try to negotiate the releases.
"We have recognized that Lebanese hostage-taking is symptomatic of the deep festering wounds in the Middle East and beyond. In accordance with the historic position of the Church, Waite has constantly deplored all acts of violence from whatever party, including hostage-taking, leading to the loss of innocent lives. He has also emphasized the importance of face to face discussion leading to the resolution to the crisis.
"The Episcopal Church, in both its pastoral and prophetic roles, has long been a consistent champion for reconciliation and remediation toward a lasting peace in the Middle East. We have ministered to the suffering in the region, with the help of Presiding Bishop's Fund Lebanon Appeal, and called the attention of the international community to the urgent need to address the plight of refugees, prisoners and displaced persons who are tragically deprived as a result of the ongoing strife," Browning said.
Runcie, who was on the West Coast for meetings and vacation, recalled his visit with Jenko.
"I was both delighted and moved to meet Father Lawrence Jenco at Lambeth, London last week and receive his message. Despite fatigue after his long ordeal, he was determined to meet privately with both the Holy Father and myself before returning home. He is a man of courage, integrity and obvious spiritual depth. After our private conversation, I want to say that the Anglican Church throughout the world remains committed to seeking the release of all hostages in the Lebanon... I am most grateful to the Episcopal Church in the United States of America and especially to the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief for all they have done to assist in all our attempts to find a solution to some of Lebanon's problems."
The Archbishop said he was asking Waite to continue his mission, and in promising to do so, the envoy reflected on the Islamic statement.
"I would ask Islamic Jihad to let the Christian Church continue to participate in finding a solution to the problems which face the Lebanon. I am confident that a solution can be found on religious, not political, grounds. I appeal to Islamic Jihad to continue to honor God by seeking a religious solution to this long standing problem. Only by faith in God can this problem be resolved."