War casualties not forgotten by L.A. parish

War casualties not forgotten by L.A. parish
By K. Connie Kang, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer January 12, 2008


FOR PEACE: Parishioners protest the Iraq war outside St. John's Cathedral. Inside the church, the war dead are remembered — Americans with crimson crosses and Iraqis with gold stars.
At St. John's, a cross for each dead American and stars for dead Iraqis keep members protesting for peace.
During a solemn 10 a.m. Mass at St. John's Cathedral on Sunday, Deacon Lester Mackenzie recited the names and ages of six Americans who had lost their lives in Iraq the previous week.Pray for them, he told the congregation, and for prisoners of war and those missing in action.Then Mackenzie, who is being ordained today as an Episcopal priest, called on parishioners "to pray for the Iraqi people who have died, whose names we do not know."St. John's is one example of houses of worship remembering the casualties of the war. Some say prayers, some stage protests. In some cases, church decor changes.

At St. John's, both American and Iraqi casualties are remembered -- Americans with crimson crosses and Iraqis with gold stars.As of this week, 3,915 Americans have lost their lives in the war. About 151,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed, according to a World Health Organization study published Wednesday.Each crimson cross at St. John's represents a lost American -- "the enduring cost of that death to a family of loved ones, to a community of friends and neighbors, to a country," according to the parish's Peace and Justice Committee.And every gold star symbolize "hundreds and thousands" of Iraqi men, women and children, "whose names we will never know," according to the committee's mission statement. "We acknowledge each of the deaths they represent also forever impacts a family of loved ones, a community of friends and neighbors, and a country.

"Thousands of crosses and stars cover four tapestry-like "peace panels" across the imposing stone walls in the nave of the church.That location was selected so worshipers would see a constant and powerful reminder of the war's human toll as they leave the sanctuary."We wanted to create a symbol that would help us stay uncomfortable, that would constantly remind us of the daily needs to build peace, to choose peace in everything we do," said psychologist Lo Sprague, a member of the committee.On Wednesday evening, as they have done every week since April, priests and parishioners of this Episcopal church held a peace demonstration before the 6:30 p.m. contemplative Mass.They started to gather shortly after 4 p.m. By 5:30, about 15 people, including three priests, were standing at two busy intersections near the cathedral -- South Figueroa and South Flower streets at West Adams Boulevard -- with a grand view of downtown buildings lighting up in the dark sky."Wage Peace, Not War," "Bring Our Kids Home" and "Honk for Peace," urged some of the homemade placards they held.Motorists honked, waved and smiled as they drove by. Protesters smiled and waved back."At least at this intersection, we get the feeling we are preaching to the choir," said Colin Gibson, who was at Flower and Adams with Lynne Gillies, the mother of an Air Force captain."Thank God he is not in the Middle East," she said.Gillies and Gibson shared a pair of gloves to cover the hands holding their placards.

Lawrence Young, a criminal defense lawyer and a member of St. John's for 35 years, said it was "empowering" to stand in opposition to the war every Wednesday."All over the country, American people are doing this," he said. "It's not just this little group here. That's what it takes to continue to put pressure on those politicians in Washington to end this crazy war and bring our people home."The parish has five members or relatives of members serving in Iraq.Young said parishioners were relieved and happy to have Army Capt. Eric McNally, a former altar boy and a West Point graduate, return home safely. But he is expected to return for another tour -- this time in Afghanistan -- so their prayers will continue, Young said.

Mary Kirchen said she was certain Jesus approved of their work."I think he would be with us asking the questions we are: 'What does it mean to be a citizen in the United States and a Christian in today's world?' " she said.The protest, which members say will continue as long as the war lasts, started after an emotional Sunday service during Lent last year when American casualty rates were especially high.As the names and ages of nearly 40 dead Americans were recited, some parishioners began to cry, one congregant recalled."We need to do something to stop this war," they told their priests, the Rev. Mark Kowalewski and the Rev. Daniel Ade.Since then -- summer or winter, rain or shine -- parishioners have stood at the two corners in front of the church to send their message to the public. Their numbers vary from a handful to dozens.This week, shortly before the Mass began, protesters took their placards back to the church office and quietly entered the sanctuary of rich inlaid marble, terrazzo and mosaic tile decorations, and took their seats around a Communion table.

In his homily, Kowalewski spoke of the gifts that God gives each person and the importance of using those gifts to serve humanity.Citing Paul's letter to the Romans, he said each person has a unique gift. And, from Mark's Gospel, he spoke of Jesus' emphasis on servant leadership -- those who want to be great must humble themselves and serve.Then, looking at the 15 gathered at the table, Kowalewski asked: "What are the gifts that we have to share? How are we using these gifts for the Gospel of Jesus Christ?"A moment of silence for reflection followed.Then came "prayers of the people.""Prince of peace, bring in the endless kingdom of your peace," Ade prayed. To which the gathered responded, "Lord, hear our prayer."

After the Eucharist, a post-Communion prayer and the blessing, some worshipers headed home, while some remained for a Peace and Justice Committee meeting.There is a connection between what they do on the street and in the Eucharist, said the Rev. Gwynne Guibord, who presided at the Mass."The main aspect of what we are reenacting in this liturgical experience is what happened at the Last Supper," she said."We are remembering Jesus' desire to build a kingdom of God," Kowalewski said. "What we're doing out on the street is proclaiming the values of the kingdom of God, which are peace instead of war, and finding solutions that are diplomatic rather than violence."