Given that Tom Fox and the other Christian Peacemakers were all working
on behalf of Iraqi detainees, the only explanation for their abduction that
even begins to make any sense to me is that the kidnappers -- a previously
unknown group calling itself the "Swords of Righteousness Brigades" -- may
be a Shiite faction outraged by any effort to release the largely Sunni
detainees.
But, at this point, I'm not sure anything that happens in Iraq needs to "make
sense". Really, just another senseless loss to add to the atrocity.
Craig Gingold
The article is from a small-town paper in Tom's home state of Virginia;
below is the statement released by Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Harrisonburg Daily News Record
March 11, 2006
Hostage From Va. Killed
Friends Describe Fox?s Dedication To Peace
By David Reynolds
Friends of former Eastern Mennonite University student Tom Fox
were saddened by the news of his death Friday night. But they were
heartened somewhat by memories of a man so dedicated to peace,
he left home knowing he was risking his life.
The FBI verified that a body found in Iraq Friday morning was that
of
Fox, 54, of Clear Brook, State Department spokesman Noel Clay said.
He said he had no information on the other three hostages taken with
Fox in November.
Fox was the lone American among four Christian peace activists
kidnapped last year in Iraq. The four men were in Iraq as part of a
group from Chicago-based Christian Peacemaker Teams. They were
there protesting human rights abuses, according to friends of Fox.
Clay said he did not know how Fox was killed but said additional
forensics will be done in the United States. The U.S. Embassy in
Baghdad is investigating, he said.
Fox?s family has been notified, Clay said, and "our heartfelt
condolences
go out to them."
Local Reaction
Lisa Schirch, a friend of Fox, remembered him as someone who was
passionate about bringing lasting peace to Iraq, even though he
knew the
dangers involved in such work.
"He was willing to give his life," she said. "He told everyone this
might
happen, and we all knew it."
Schirch is an associate professor at EMU and taught Fox in her
strategic
nonviolence class. She said many Iraqis appreciated Fox?s efforts.
"He wasn?t an aggressive person and he wasn?t trying to
proselytize,"
she said. "He was working for human rights in a peaceful way."
While Fox?s life was cut short, Schirch said others who share his
convictions should continue the effort.
"There has to be people willing to do the long-term work," she said.
"Military fighting can?t win the peace ? it?s a short-term
solution."
Dr. Anne Bacon of Winchester, a friend of Fox and a member of the
Quaker?s Centre Meeting in Winchester, also spoke of a man dedicated
to his work.
"He had very important work over there, work that I hope will
continue,"
she said. Bacon says sadness isn?t the only feeling for those who
knew Fox.
"Obviously grief, sadness for the loss of my friend. But also a
sense of
gratitude that I got to know him," Bacon said.
Another friend reached Friday night had not yet learned of Fox?s
death,
and was too surprised and upset to talk.
Fox?s organization, Christian Peacemaker Teams, said Friday, "We
mourn the loss of Tom Fox, who combined a lightness of spirit, a
firm
opposition to all oppression, and the recognition of God in
everyone.??
Christian Peacemaker co-directors Doug Pritchard and Carol Rose said
in a statement, "In response to Tom?s passing, we ask that everyone
set
aside inclinations to vilify or demonize others, no matter what
they have
done.??
"This guy was not after martyrdom by any means,?? said Paul Slattery
of McLean, who was a member of Fox?s U.S.-based support team. "He
actually believed in his heart that he would better them by his
conviction
and his beliefs and his skills, and I think largely succeeded.
"What he leaves behind is a tremendous challenge for the rest of us
and
a guiding force.??
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.cpt.org/iraq/response/06-10-03statement.htm
CPT Release: We Mourn the Loss of Tom Fox
10 March 2006
In grief we tremble before God who wraps us with compassion. The death of our
beloved
colleague and friend pierces us with pain. Tom Fox?s body was found in Baghdad
yesterday.
Christian Peacemaker Teams extends our deep and heartfelt condolences to the
family and
community of Tom Fox, with whom we have traveled so closely in these days of
crisis.
We mourn the loss of Tom Fox who combined a lightness of spirit, a firm
opposition to all
oppression, and the recognition of God in everyone.
We renew our plea for the safe release of Harmeet Sooden, Jim Loney and Norman
Kember.
Each of our teammates has responded to Jesus? prophetic call to live out a
nonviolent
alternative to the cycle of violence and revenge.
In response to Tom?s passing, we ask that everyone set aside inclinations to
vilify or
demonize others, no matter what they have done. In Tom?s own words: "We reject
violence
to punish anyone. We ask that there be no retaliation on relatives or property.
We
forgive those who consider us their enemies. We hope that in loving both
friends and
enemies and by intervening nonviolently to aid those who are systematically
oppressed,
we can contribute in some small way to transforming this volatile situation.?
Even as we grieve the loss of our beloved colleague, we stand in the light of
his strong
witness to the power of love and the courage of nonviolence. That light reveals
the way
out of fear and grief and war.
Through these days of crisis, Christian Peacemaker Teams has been surrounded
and
upheld by a great outpouring of compassion: messages of support, acts of mercy,
prayers,
and public actions offered by the most senior religious councils and by school
children,
by political leaders and by those organizing for justice and human rights, by
friends in
distant nations and by strangers near at hand. These words and actions sustain
us. While
one of our teammates is lost to us, the strength of this outpouring is not lost
to God?s
movement for just peace among all peoples.
At the forefront of that support are strong and courageous actions from Muslim
brothers
and sisters throughout the world for which we are profoundly grateful. Their
graciousness
inspires us to continue working for the day when Christians speak up as boldly
for the
human rights of thousands Iraqis still detained illegally
by the United States and United Kingdom.
Such an outpouring of action for justice and peace would be a fitting memorial
for Tom.
Let us all join our voices on behalf of those who continue to suffer under
occupation,
whose loved ones have been killed or are missing. In so doing, we may hasten
the day
when both those who are wrongly detained and those who bear arms will return
safely to
their homes. In such a peace we will find solace for our grief.
Despite the tragedy of this day, we remain committed to put into practice these
words of
Jim Loney: ?With the waging of war, we will not comply. With the help of God?s
grace, we
will struggle for justice. With God?s abiding kindness, we will love even our
enemies.?
We continue in hope for Jim, Harmeet and Norman?s safe return home safe.
Contact: Dr. Doug Pritchard, CPT Co-Director 416-423-5525 (Canada) and
Rev. Carol Rose, CPT Co-Director; Kryss Chupp, 773-277-0253 (USA)
peacemakers@xxxxxxx
=====================================================
***
[==> If you're not part of the solution... you're part of the problem <==]
***
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