From Inspires On-Line
Championing the cause of the powerless – Bishops comment on the
proposed execution of Ali al-Nimr September 29, 2015
The Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan, Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway says
“I would like to add
my voice to those
of the French
Government and
UN experts in
protesting against
the capital
sentence
proposed to be
executed upon
student Ali al-Nimr
who was a minor
at the time of his
alleged offence. I urge the King to recognise that this is a wholly
disproportionate punishment and to act accordingly to save this young man’s
life. I ask this, very simply, for the love and mercy of God.”
The Rt Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness says “I
want to express my horror and anger at the behaviour of the government
and leadership of a country which we claim to be our friends and allies, a
country that can contemplate the execution of a young man who simply
disagreed with them. The threatened execution and display of the body of Ali
al-Nimr is simply inhuman and something unacceptable to people who seek
justice and peace in our world.
“We have a tendency to condemn the atrocities that are perpetrated by our
enemies or those out of step with what we see as “in our interests” while
ignoring the behaviour of those who we want or need as friends and allies.
That just isn’t good enough, the execution of someone who simply disagrees
with you is wrong from whatever side you stand, you cannot condemn one
and ignore the other. All life is sacred and the defenceless should always be
protected, whatever that may cost.
“I urge the Saudi government and their Monarch, King Saman, to stop this
execution and I pray that world leaders learn that fear and torture only
benefit those who seek to destroy. Love and compassion is the route to
building a better world.
StOM Page 13