Speaking on the Senate floor last week in support of his amendment, Senator McCain said, "The intelligence we collect must be reliable and acquired humanely, under clear standards understood by all our fighting men and women. To do differently would not only offend our values as Americans, but undermine our war effort because abuse of prisoners harms - not helps - us in the war on terror."

In his letter Bishop Griswold stated, "On behalf of the Episcopal Church, I want to express my appreciation to you and your colleagues in the Senate who supported your amendment to the FY '06 Department of Defense Appropriations bill establishing uniform standards for the conduct of U.S. military personnel prohibiting 'cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of persons under the custody or control of the United States Government.'

A similar letter will be sent to House and Senate members who will form the "Conference Committee" to work out differences in the separately-passed defense appropriations bills. They are expected to convene next week when members of Congress return from their Columbus Day recess. That letter will urge them to preserve intact the language of the McCain amendment and note that it is consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which the U.S. is a signatory, and the Convention Against Torture.

The following is the letter to Senator McCain from Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold:

October 11, 2005

The Honorable John McCain
241 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator McCain:

Episcopalians, along with many in our nation, have expressed grave concern for the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. On behalf of the Episcopal Church, I want to express my appreciation to you and your colleagues in the Senate who supported your amendment to the FY '06 Department of Defense Appropriations bill establishing uniform standards for the conduct of U.S. military personnel prohibiting "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of persons under the custody or control of the United States Government." As the Conference between the House and Senate moves forward, I write to urge Conferees to preserve intact this important language consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which the U.S. is a signatory, and the Convention Against Torture.

The Episcopal Church through the Executive Council, a governance body, at its June 2004 meeting established policy calling on the U.S. government to:

"conduct itself in all aspects of the [War on Terror] with the highest standards of human rights and regard for due process, which are cherished values of our nation and when disregarded diminish credibility of the U.S. in the world.

Those responsible for the violence and terrorism in our world must be found and punished for their acts and disregard for human life. Yet history, both past and present, have shown that torture is often counterproductive, resulting not in information that would reduce violence but in a rage and desire for vengeance that only produces more. Instead, we are obliged to treat others as we would want to be treated. You spoke with painfully gained personal wisdom when you said in support of your amendment: "The intelligence we collect must be reliable and acquired humanely, under clear standards understood by all our fighting men and women. To do differently would not only offend our values as Americans, but undermine our war effort because abuse of prisoners harms - not helps - us in the war on terror."

The President and his Administration, the Congress and our military forces have our prayers as you seek ways to address the challenges facing our troubled and fragile world. Our nation has an opportunity to reflect the values and ideals that we espouse in our treatment of others. I pray that compassion and reconciliation and healing may become the realities of our common life, thereby reflecting God's own passionate desire for the life of the world God sent his Son to save.

Again on behalf of the Episcopal Church, I appreciate your efforts to preserve intact the Senate approved amendment to prohibit cruel and inhumane treatment of those held in the custody of the United States.

Sincerely,

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate

-- John Johnson is a domestic policy analyst in the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations in Washington, D.C.