Christian View Over ETA's Truce

Forgiveness.

Not everyone is able to act in accordance to this principle.

But it is exactly what some Christian groups are asking from the Spanish government in the aftermath of ETA's ceasefire declaration.

The note appeared at a site called Ekklesia. Here you have it:

Spanish Christians urge forgiveness to make ETA ceasfire work -30/03/06

The cease-fire by Basque separatist group ETA will need to be accompanied by justice and forgiveness if it is to achieve a lasting peace, a group of Spanish evangelical Christians has said, reports Manuel Quintero for Ecumenical News International in Switzerland.

At the same time, the leader of Spain's Roman Catholic Church has also urged politicians to unite and work for peace.

"The unity of rulers and political representatives, society's collaboration, patient work, open mindedness and hope that sustains the journey are good guarantees to reach the goal of full peace," said Bishop Ricardo Blazquez of Bilbao, the president of the Spanish (Catholic) Bishops' Conference, told journalists on 27 March 2006. He said the church was prepared to contribute to this goal in any way it could.

Separately, in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Federation of Evangelical Religious Entities of Spain (Ferede), expressed its hope that this time the end to violence would be final.

And a statement by the Evangelical Alliance of Spain (AEE) - the oldest interdenominational evangelical organization in the country, founded in 1877 - asked for justice and forgiveness so that peace may be attained.

"As Christians, we know about the great regenerating power of forgiveness, which is perfectible compatible with justice, although totally contrary to revenge," said the AEE without referring specifically to any group.

The Evangelical Council of Madrid said the time had come for Spanish evangelicals to speak out in theological language that may pave the way towards peace, even at the risk of being called "naïve".

ETA (which stands for "Basque Homeland and Freedom" in the Basque language, was founded in 1959. It has killed about 850 people and fomented street violence in its campaign for the creation of an independent state separate from France and Spain for the Basque people, who straddle the two countries.

[With acknowledgements to ENI. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.]

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