The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Dr George Carey, visited Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina the week before Christmas as "a vivid demonstration of the concern and commitment of Anglicans world-wide for this country as it sets out on the road to peace and reconstruction." He said that he had discussed with Muslim and Christian leaders "the importance of acknowledging and owning what has been done -- of justice, repentance and explicit commitment to peaceful co-existence for the sake of all we have in common." Dr Carey said that he was aware of international criticism among Muslims for what they perceived as Western attitudes. At a press conference he argued that he and other Church leaders had spoken out strongly against ethnic cleansing and other injustices. "There's a strong feeling that the West has let Bosnia down," said Dr Richard Marsh, the Archbishop's ecumenical officer who accompanied the Careys on the trip. "This visit was an important symbolic and practical gesture but there is so much more to be done now. Peace in Bosnia is very fragile. People are broken, they need to get their spirit back," he said.

In America Anglicans joined a movement that asked people of all faiths to pause at noon on Thursday, January 25, to pray for peace in former Yugoslavia--and for all those who are working to heal the wounds and provide care for the victims. Bishop Charles Keyser, Suffragan Bishop for the Armed Forces, sent a memo to all dioceses asking them to join in.

Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning commended the day of prayer, saying, "Let us not for one minute forget the enormous power of prayer. We ask God's help in converting our own hearts--the hearts of all neighbours on this fragile planet--that we may become people of peace."

Article from: ENS