Church and trade unions unite to condemn 'downward spiral of conflict and destruction'

Pressure on Tony Blair from church leaders and trade unions opposed to a war with Iraq is continuing to grow. Yesterday one of the Church of England's most senior bishops, the Right Rev John Gladwin, Bishop of Guildford, used a sermon to launch a scathing attack on the pro-war camp.

Many in the Washington administration – supported by fundamentalist churches in the United States – offered a "simplistic and dangerous view" of events, the bishop said. They risked leading the West into "an ever-downward spiral of conflict and destruction". Short-term resolutions were tempting, but could lead to "long-term strife and bitterness". The danger for President George Bush and Mr Blair was that they might "be drawn down into the nether regions of darkness where fear and violence and death increasingly shape our world and seek to destroy it".

Earlier in the day the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative to the Middle East, Canon Andrew White, hit back at criticism from Downing Street. Number 10 sources had been quoted as saying: "The bishops really annoy us. Some are coming out as if Saddam is a reasonable guy. They do not know what they are talking about."

On Radio 4's Sunday programme, the Archbishop's officer said of the bishops: "They know what they are talking about more than many of the politicians. Two of the most vocal bishops – Coventry and Bath and Wells – have visited Iraq. We know more than most what the regime is like."

The Church had aid partners on the ground and contact with UN humanitarian officials, former weapons inspectors and US and UK diplomats in Iraq. Canon White added: "Those of us who are working on the ground do have a different view from those who watch from afar and make comments."

The World Council of Churches, which includes American church leaders, has also condemned the "rush to war". The Catholic Theologian Association has warned that the West has to "move beyond defending our interests and punishing our enemies" if it is to "retain moral credibility". The Moderator of the Church of Scotland has said that an attack would not be "an appropriate use of power" and is urging churchgoers to write to their MPs.

On Wednesday, the anniversary of the 11 September attacks, Thought for the Day on Radio 4 will be delivered by Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury-designate, who has led the way in criticising government policy on Iraq. In Dublin at the weekend, Dr Williams said Mr Bush and Mr Blair should take on board the "explosive nature of the wider situation" in the Middle East. "I am hoping that there may be a peaceful solution. I don't think that it [war] is inevitable."

At the TUC conference in Blackpool, union leaders expressed reservations at the prospect of military action. Bob Crow, the left-wing general secretary of the RMT rail union, accused Mr Blair of being "out of step with the trade union movement, out of step with the Labour Party and out of step with the British people".

Even moderate trade unionists expressed scepticism about military action. Dave Prentis, the general secretary of Unison, said: "It should be the very, very last resort that anyone should contemplate military action, and then only with the full backing of the Security Council of the United Nations."

A statement agreed by the TUC general council expresses deep concern at the "increasingly bellicose'' words from some parts of the American administration.