Religious group to hold Darfur service

The U-S House of Representatives voted yesterday (Thurs) to send 50-million dollars to the peacekeeping troops and humanitarian organizations in the Darfur region of western Sudan.

That’s a small step in the right direction, say two Spokane religious leaders, who will lead a Sunday interfaith service on the Darfur killings.

Kateri Caron from the Interfaith Council says that service will offer people a chance to learn about what’s going on in Darfur and to pray for the victims there.

Humanitarian organizations estimate 400-thousand Sudanese have been killed and another two million driven from their homes, some in oil rich areas.

African peacekeeping troops are in Darfur, but they haven’t been able to stop armed groups. Some believe the world response has been tepid and that that has encouraged the armed groups in Sudan to continue their dirty work.

Diana Gibson from the Interfaith Council says religious groups in the U-S have been working to raise awareness, especially in the last few months.

“It was something that had been going on for a very long time and that most people had written off as just another bad thing in Africa,” Gibson said. “And then, I think, a lot of people, in recent weeks, because of more national media attention and because of more action on the part of our national government, have actually been jumping on board, educating themselves and taking action.”

The Interfaith Council is working with other U-S religious groups on a campaign they call the “Million Voices for Darfur”. They’re working to get a million people to send postcards to Congress by the end of April, demanding lawmakers send more money for humanitarian aid and more peacekeeping forces to Darfur.

Although they’re happy that the House this week voted to send 50-million dollars, they note that’s roughly one-tenth of what the Bush administration has asked for.

Sunday’s service will start at three at the Country Homes Christian Church. It’s open to people of all faiths.