Canada's Faith Communities Urge Government of Canada to Stop Deportation Actions Against U.S. Iraq War Resister Corey Glass and Others

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 7, 2008) - Canada's faith communities are today appealing to the Prime Minister and Immigration Minister to stop all deportation actions against U.S. Iraq War conscientious objector Corey Glass as well as all those who have sought refuge in Canada.

The federal government's July 10 deportation order against Glass is still in effect. With only three days remaining, Glass and all conscientious objectors are experiencing enormous stress, anxiety and turmoil.

The letter, sponsored by Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers) and signed by representatives from many faith groups notes that: "The government's quick action is urgently required to alleviate the terrible tensions and pressures on those people for whom conscientious objection to war and killing was the only deeply ethical and moral choice they could make."

"The rightness and justice of Canada's long tradition and proud history of supporting conscientious objectors was reinforced in 1998 when the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights broadened the international definition of conscientious objection by officially recognizing that "persons (already) performing military service may develop conscientious objections."

Faith-based organizations are continuing to sign the letter which has been posted on the on the New Catholic Times website at: ww w.newcatholictimes.com.


July 7, 2008

Appeal from Canada's faith communities to the Government of Canada


Dear Prime Minister Harper and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Diane Finley:

Re: Iraq War resister Corey Glass: July 10 deportation looming

We are writing to request your quick action to stop the deportation and removal proceedings against U.S. Iraq War conscientious objector Corey Glass who came to Canada seeking refuge.

The federal government's July 10 deportation order against Glass is still in effect, creating enormous stress, anxiety and turmoil for him and for all the conscientious objectors and their families who are hoping the government will be guided by the will of Parliament. This was expressed June 3rd with the passage of a landmark parliamentary motion that called on the Government of Canada to allow U.S. conscientious objectors who have left military service related to the illegal invasion of Iraq, and their immediate family members, the opportunity to apply to remain in Canada as permanent residents, and to immediately cease any removal or deportation actions that may have already commenced against such individuals.

The rightness and justice of Canada's long tradition and proud history of supporting conscientious objectors was further reinforced in 1998 when the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights broadened the international definition of conscientious objection by officially recognizing that "persons (already) performing military service may develop conscientious objections."

Sir and Madam, the government's quick action is urgently required to alleviate the terrible tensions and pressures on those people for whom conscientious objection to war and killing was the only deeply ethical and moral choice they could make.

Yours very truly,

Meridale Dewar (Dr.) Clerk, Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers); Svetlana S. MacDonald (Dr.) Clerk, Canadian Friends Service Committee (Quakers); Donald G. Peters, Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee, Canada; The Very Reverend the Hon. Lois M Wilson, C.C.Ecumenist in Residence, Toronto School of Theology; Nora Sanders. General Secretary, The United Church of Canada; Jean Pfleiderer, President, Board of Trustees, The Canadian Unitarian Council; Terence Finlay, Anglican Archbishop of Toronto (retired) and A.J. Finlay; Rabbi Jordan D. Cohen Temple Anshe Sholom, Hamilton; Gregory Baum, Professor Emeritus, McGill University; John Quinn Managing Editor, New Catholic Times; Ted Schmidt, Editor, New Catholic Times; Tom Harpur, theologian and author; George E. Newman, Diaconate, Diocese of St. Catharines, Ontario; Rob Repicky, Toronto Catholic District School Board; Dave Szollosy, Chaplaincy Team Leader/Blessed Mother Teresa CSS and Councillor - Ward 3/Town of Georgina; John A. Borst, editor, Tomorrow's Trust: A review of Catholic Education; Shaka Abdul-Rashid, Teacher, Nelson Mandela Park Public School; (Fr.) Paul E. Hansen, Redemptorist Fathers Justice Desk; Bernie Hammond, PhD Coordinator, Social Justice and Peace Studies & Director, Centre for Social Concern King's University College at the University of Western Ontario; Friar Ed Debono, Order of Friars Minor; David Walsh, Director, St. Joseph House; Paul Schmidt, Principal, St. Paul SS (Mississauga, Ont.); Friar Rick Riccioli, OFM Conv. Pastor, Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure; (Rev.) Kevin Lynch, Franciscan, Chair, Inter-church Board of St. Michael's Retreat & Ministries Inc.; Marie-Claire Recurt Teacher University of Toronto Schools; Rev. Allan Baker Newtonbrook United Church; Margaret Ann (Maggie) Plant, DLM, Bright-Chesterfield Pastoral Charge; Oxford Presbytery, London Conference, The United Church of Canada; Douglas Wm. Knott, Retired Deputy General Secretary, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association; James Loney, Christian Peacemaker Teams; (Fr) Robert Holmes CSB, Basilian Centre for Peace and Justice. Signatories continue to come in.