DURHAM, N.C. — Combat veterans, pacifists, pastors, and military leaders gathered at a Duke Divinity School event Nov. 11-12 to discuss how the church, the military, and academia can understand and begin to heal the unseen wounds of war.
Initiated by second-year student Logan Mehl-Laituri and sponsored by the divinity student group Milites Christi, the After the Yellow Ribbon conference featured lectures, panel discussions, and workshops led by active military, pacifist activists, local pastors, theologians, military chaplains, and students.
Lt. Col. Peter Kilner addresses participants at the After the Yellow Ribbon conference on the moral justification of war. (Photo by Tyler Mahoney)
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On its Facebook page, Milites Christi describes itself as a student organization “dedicated to cultivating conversations with students, staff and faculty, to advance the interests of prospective, current and former service members in the church, world and academy. Our primary aim is to develop a pastoral response to the problem of war and peace based on a fundamental conviction that God directs us towards peaceful resolution of conflict.”
“Veterans today suffer from the highest rate of suicide in our nation’s history, have startlingly high rates of prescription drug and alcohol abuse, and are often thought of as ‘damaged goods,’ ” notes the group’s web site. “Our society must accept the responsibility of acknowledging and confronting the moral fragmentation that our service members suffer as a result of their experiences in war. … We invite practitioners of all disciplines, from music and the arts to theology and mental health, to respond to the challenge presented by the plight of soldiers and veterans in our midst. We want to work together to improve our efforts at prevention and reconstitution, and overcome this tragic epidemic.”
“The church needs to hear stories of war from combat veterans and allow them to share their experiences with a community that will truly listen,” said Warren Kinghorn, assistant professor of psychiatry and pastoral and moral theology at the divinity school, in highlighting the purpose of the conference during a panel discussion.
Kinghorn was one of several Duke Divinity faculty members who led discussions and workshops at the event, which started with an unveiling of a new icon of St. Martin of Tours and ended with a concert by Christian singer and songwriter Derek Webb.
Lt. Col. Peter Kilner, a professor who teaches military ethics at West Point Military Academy, gave the keynote address. He spoke about the hidden beauties of war, such as the comaraderie between soldiers, and argued that the moral uncertainty of war must be confronted before members of the military are called into active duty.
Discussions and workshops focused on such issues as post-traumatic stress disorder; the recognition of spiritual and moral trauma; resources for recovery; reframing the horrors of war in the context of Christ; and the necessity for the church, military, and academic communities to listen to the stories of combat veterans as a way to prompt confession and reconciliation.
“Healing begins with a recognition of trauma in the church,” explained retired Army chaplain Col. Herman Keizer Jr. during a panel discussion, “in members of the military, and in society.”
Podcasts of speakers at the Duke event are available here.
In conjunction with "After the Yellow Ribbon," second-year student Mehl-Laituri interviewed Jo Bailey Wells, professor and director of Duke's Anglican House of Studies on how the Psalms of lament can become resources for healing — especially relevant for America's returning veterans. A three and half minute video of the interview was filmed and edited by Pilar Timpane. Associate producer was Tyler Mahoney.