"As bishops of the Episcopal Church committed to the ministry of reconciliation and to on-going dialogue between faith communities, we protest the scheduled speech of the Mr. Khatami's actions do not support the goal of reconciliation for which our Church has so fervently prayed and worked. During Mr. Khatami's term of office, women continued to be marginalized, and homosexual persons were executed (two gay youths were hanged on July 19, 2005). Mr. Khatami's dedication to the elimination of the State of Israel is clear," said the three bishops in a press release.

"In 2000, he said, "We should mobilize the whole Islamic world for a sharp confrontation with the Zionist regime." And again, "If we abide by the Koran, all of us should be mobilized to kill." Mr. Khatami has not renounced either Iran's nuclear ambitions or the virulent anti-Semitism of the current regime, known for its Holocaust denial and call for the destruction of the State of Israel."

"His presence at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul will further compromise our relationship with the Jewish community, and further reveal our shallow understanding of the complexities of the tragedy in the Middle East."

"His presence at the Cathedral will highlight as well our Church's blatant disregard of Iran's dismal human rights record and its failure to live as a responsible member of the community of nations. Iran is a threat not only to our own nation, but to world peace itself."

The three bishops said they were grateful for the National Cathedral's commitment to diversity and transformative conversation. "However, without the inclusion of those with differing perspectives, this event is an inappropriate expression of that commitment, and does not further our ability as a Church to foster reconciliation in a divided world. We plead with the leadership of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, while there is still time, to cancel this ill-conceived and inappropriate expression of the aspirations of our Church."

But independent news reports said the U.S. State Department gave the leader a visa saying Khatami was a "moderate". President Khatami served as Iran's president from 1997 to 2005 and was the first reformist president following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Elected with the broad support of women and young adults, Khatami is credited with the promotion of the rule of law, democracy, and the inclusion of all Iranians in the political decision-making process.

Responding to these charges Canon John L. Peterson, director of the Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation at the Cathedral noted in a press release that Khatami's visit is wholly appropriate at this time of increasing global tensions, since the former president intends to speak on the role the three Abrahamic faiths can play in shaping peace throughout the world. "The Cathedral is a place of reconciliation that opens its doors to people of all faiths, and we have a special commitment to embracing the children of Abraham. We have found that the Cathedral is an important platform for dialogue and open discussion," he said.

Cathedral Dean, the Very Reverend Samuel T. Lloyd III said, "President Khatami's commitment to a dialogue between civilizations and cultures is an important component in the peace process. This is much needed in the world today." Dean Lloyd noted that Khatami is regarded as a man of peace and moderation.

Khatami will address the role the three Abrahamic faiths; Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and how they can play in shaping the peace process.

His visit to the Cathedral will follow a meeting of the Group at the United Nations in New York, September 5th and 6th. He is also scheduled to speak at Harvard University.

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