By Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. bishops have agreed to meet with a group of Catholic House Democrats to discuss how to pursue the goal of a "responsible transition" to end the war in Iraq.
They also reiterated their call for members of Congress and the Bush administration to break the political stalemate in Washington and "forge bipartisan policies on ways to bring about a responsible transition and an end to the war."
"The current situation in Iraq is unacceptable and unsustainable," wrote Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Fla., chairman of the bishops' Committee on International Policy, in a July 17 letter to Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio. A copy of the letter was released July 18 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Bishop Wenski's letter was a response to a June 28 letter Ryan wrote to Bishop Wenski and Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., USCCB president. Ryan's letter, sent on behalf of himself and 13 other Catholic House Democrats, urged the bishops to increase their involvement in efforts to end the war in Iraq.
In the July 17 letter, Bishop Wenski said the bishops "share your deep concern for the dangerous and deteriorating situation in Iraq," and would welcome the opportunity "to meet with you and other policymakers to discuss ways to pursue the goal of a 'responsible transition' to bring an end to the war."
"Too many Iraqi and American lives have been lost," he wrote. "Too many Iraqi communities have been shattered. Too many civilians have been driven from their homes."
He also added that the "human and financial costs of the war are staggering" and that church and government officials should use their "shared moral tradition" to guide their dialogue with other leaders in seeking a way to "bring about a morally responsible end to the war."
The bishop noted that, prior to the war in Iraq, when "too few members of either party in Congress opposed authorizing the use of force," the U.S. bishops, along with Pope John Paul II, "repeatedly raised grave moral questions about military intervention in Iraq and the unpredictable and uncontrollable negative consequences of an invasion and occupation."
"Sadly," he added, "many of the tragic consequences we and others have feared have come to pass."
In his letter, Bishop Wenski also pointed out that the bishops' conference had hoped that the report of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group would "lead to candid assessments and honest dialogue that our nation needs to find a responsible way to end U.S. military engagement in Iraq."
He also said the bishops have expressed concerns for the Iraqi population and in particular for Christians and other minority groups who have suffered in the aftermath of military action in Iraq.
"Our conference is under no illusions regarding Iraq," he added. "None of the alternative courses of action are without consequences for human life and dignity. There is no path ahead that leads to an unambiguously good outcome for Iraq, our nation and the world."
But he added that the United States must "have the moral courage to change course in Iraq and to break the policy and political stalemate in Washington so that we can walk a difficult path that does the most good and the least damage in human and moral terms."
Ryan's June 28 request for a meeting with the bishops sought their help to "mobilize Catholic opinion" on "one of the most critical issues of our time."
"We have taken great comfort in the prophetic words of many Catholic leaders, relied on them for inspiration during our deliberations and welcomed them in helping shape policy," he wrote.
Ryan said that he and the other House members requesting the meeting understand that "peace cannot simply exist as an idea" but that efforts must be "accompanied by actions as we embrace teachings of peace and justice."
"Throughout our nation's history Catholics have been at the forefront of the fight for social justice. Now, at another critical moment, we respectfully urge the USCCB to join with us in mobilizing for Congress's efforts to end the war," he wrote.
Besides Ryan, signers of the letter included Reps. Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut; Jim Moran, Virginia; Jose Serrano, New York; James McGovern, Massachusetts; William Lacy Clay, Missouri; Bart Stupak, Michigan; Anna Eshoo, Hilda Solis, Joe Baca and Grace Napolitano, California; and Marcy Kaptur, Dennis Kucinich and Charlie Wilson, Ohio.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Catholic Members of Congress Send Letter to U.S. Bishops
Dear Friends of Ohio Catholics for Peace,
Recently, Congressman Tim Ryan and 14 other members of Congress sent a letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops about ending the war in Iraq. Congressman Ryan’s press release and a text of the letter are below.
Catholic Members of Congress Ask U.S. Catholic Bishops to Help Congress End the War in Iraq
Request meeting with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss issue
(Washington, DC) – Fourteen Members of Congress including Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-17) sent a letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) last Thursday, calling on the Bishops to increase their involvement in efforts to end the war in Iraq. In the letter, which was sent to Bishop William S. Skylstad, President of the USCCB and Bishop Thomas Wenski, International Justice and Peace Committee Chair, the Members of Congress ask for a meeting with representatives of the USCCB to discuss ways that Congressional Members and the clergy can work together to mobilize public action to end the war.
“Throughout our nation’s history, Catholics have been at the forefront of the fight for social justice,” said Congressman Tim Ryan. “We are proud to see that the USCCB feels as strongly on this issue as we do and we are prepared to work closely with them to reach out to fellow members of the faith.”
“As Catholic Members of Congress we stand in unison with the Catholic Church in opposition to the War in Iraq. Yet to attain the ideal of peace, we must not only speak the words, we must take action and that is why we are reaching out to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to work with them to bring an end to the War in Iraq,” said Congresswoman DeLauro.
The full text of the letter can be read below:
###
June 28, 2007
Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Most Reverend Thomas Wenski
Bishop of Orlando
International Justice and Peace Committee Chair
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Your Excellencies:
As Catholic Members of Congress, we find ourselves increasingly disheartened with our country's presence in Iraq, with the manner in which the war is prosecuted, and with the many injustices that continue to occur there. We write today to urge you to help mobilize Catholic opinion on this, one of the most critical issues of our time. To that end, we respectfully request a meeting with representatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss ways in which we can work together in pursuit of our shared goal of ending the war in Iraq as soon as possible.
We have taken great comfort in the prophetic words of many Catholic leaders, relied on them for inspiration during our deliberations, and welcomed them in helping shape policy. If we understand the Catholic tradition correctly, thoughtful Church leaders around the world do not believe that the war in Iraq meets the strict conditions for a just war or the high moral standards for overriding the presumption against the use of force. We agree and seek an end to this injustice.
Our concerns are rooted in both the political realm and in our faith and manifest in our efforts to enact legislation that will bring an end to this war. Pope John Paul II framed the moral question well when he said: “When, as in Iraq in these days, war threatens the fate of humanity, it is even more urgent to proclaim with a strong and decisive voice that peace is the only path for building a society which is more just and marked by solidarity. Violence and weapons can never resolve the problems of man.” We recall with no small measure of sadness the failed efforts of His Eminence Pio Cardinal Laghi, sent in March 2003 as the Special Envoy of the Pope, to plead with President Bush for a renewed effort at negotiations before this war began, or simply for a delay in commencing hostilities because of the personal intervention of the Holy Father. Though treated politely, Laghi was rebuffed even as he provided the administration with valuable insights from the Iraqi bishops’ conference and Vatican staff in Iraq. Iraq and its people would be in a far different place today had President Bush heeded the advice of Cardinal Laghi and Pope John Paul II.
In our own education in the faith, we find the testimony of the Scriptures compelling, and although we have no illusions about the complexities of our current situation in Iraq, we have come to believe that peace cannot simply exist as an ideal – our efforts must be accompanied by actions as we embrace the teachings of peace and justice.
We have deliberated with great care, and our consciences calls us to act with conviction and compassion. Throughout our nation’s history Catholics have been at the forefront of the fight for social justice. Now, at another critical moment, we respectfully urge the USCCB to join with us in mobilizing support for Congress’ efforts to end the war.
Sincerely,
Rep. Tim Ryan
Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Rep. Anna Eshoo
Rep. Marcy Kaptur
Rep. Jim Moran
Rep. Jose E. Serrano
Rep. James McGovern
Rep. William "Lacy" Clay
Rep. Hilda Solis
Rep. Bart Stupak
Rep. Joe Baca
Rep. Grace Napolitano
Rep. Dennis Kucinich
Rep. Charlie Wilson
cc: Dr. Stephen Colecchi, Director,
USCCB International Justice and Peace Committee
Please visit our website at http://ohiocatholicsforpeace.blogspot.com If you have any comments for us, or names and emails of friends and family that would like to receive our message, please drop us a line at ohiocatholicsforpeace@yahoo.com
From Congressman Tim Ryan: In late May I voted against the White House compromise with Congress that stripped the Iraq Supplemental of its timelines for withdrawal. Please be assured of my continuing commitment to bringing our troops home. I cannot allow the administration to continue its failed policies in Iraq. It has become clear that the only real way to support the troops is to bring them home as soon as possible. I can’t give the President another $120 billion without enforceable benchmarks and a timetable for withdrawal.
It is sometimes very discouraging, but I ask you to stay active in your communities and in your churches. Ending the war in Iraq is the great moral dilemma of our time. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Congressman Tim Ryan
Recently, Congressman Tim Ryan and 14 other members of Congress sent a letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops about ending the war in Iraq. Congressman Ryan’s press release and a text of the letter are below.
Catholic Members of Congress Ask U.S. Catholic Bishops to Help Congress End the War in Iraq
Request meeting with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss issue
(Washington, DC) – Fourteen Members of Congress including Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-17) sent a letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) last Thursday, calling on the Bishops to increase their involvement in efforts to end the war in Iraq. In the letter, which was sent to Bishop William S. Skylstad, President of the USCCB and Bishop Thomas Wenski, International Justice and Peace Committee Chair, the Members of Congress ask for a meeting with representatives of the USCCB to discuss ways that Congressional Members and the clergy can work together to mobilize public action to end the war.
“Throughout our nation’s history, Catholics have been at the forefront of the fight for social justice,” said Congressman Tim Ryan. “We are proud to see that the USCCB feels as strongly on this issue as we do and we are prepared to work closely with them to reach out to fellow members of the faith.”
“As Catholic Members of Congress we stand in unison with the Catholic Church in opposition to the War in Iraq. Yet to attain the ideal of peace, we must not only speak the words, we must take action and that is why we are reaching out to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to work with them to bring an end to the War in Iraq,” said Congresswoman DeLauro.
The full text of the letter can be read below:
###
June 28, 2007
Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Most Reverend Thomas Wenski
Bishop of Orlando
International Justice and Peace Committee Chair
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 Fourth Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Your Excellencies:
As Catholic Members of Congress, we find ourselves increasingly disheartened with our country's presence in Iraq, with the manner in which the war is prosecuted, and with the many injustices that continue to occur there. We write today to urge you to help mobilize Catholic opinion on this, one of the most critical issues of our time. To that end, we respectfully request a meeting with representatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to discuss ways in which we can work together in pursuit of our shared goal of ending the war in Iraq as soon as possible.
We have taken great comfort in the prophetic words of many Catholic leaders, relied on them for inspiration during our deliberations, and welcomed them in helping shape policy. If we understand the Catholic tradition correctly, thoughtful Church leaders around the world do not believe that the war in Iraq meets the strict conditions for a just war or the high moral standards for overriding the presumption against the use of force. We agree and seek an end to this injustice.
Our concerns are rooted in both the political realm and in our faith and manifest in our efforts to enact legislation that will bring an end to this war. Pope John Paul II framed the moral question well when he said: “When, as in Iraq in these days, war threatens the fate of humanity, it is even more urgent to proclaim with a strong and decisive voice that peace is the only path for building a society which is more just and marked by solidarity. Violence and weapons can never resolve the problems of man.” We recall with no small measure of sadness the failed efforts of His Eminence Pio Cardinal Laghi, sent in March 2003 as the Special Envoy of the Pope, to plead with President Bush for a renewed effort at negotiations before this war began, or simply for a delay in commencing hostilities because of the personal intervention of the Holy Father. Though treated politely, Laghi was rebuffed even as he provided the administration with valuable insights from the Iraqi bishops’ conference and Vatican staff in Iraq. Iraq and its people would be in a far different place today had President Bush heeded the advice of Cardinal Laghi and Pope John Paul II.
In our own education in the faith, we find the testimony of the Scriptures compelling, and although we have no illusions about the complexities of our current situation in Iraq, we have come to believe that peace cannot simply exist as an ideal – our efforts must be accompanied by actions as we embrace the teachings of peace and justice.
We have deliberated with great care, and our consciences calls us to act with conviction and compassion. Throughout our nation’s history Catholics have been at the forefront of the fight for social justice. Now, at another critical moment, we respectfully urge the USCCB to join with us in mobilizing support for Congress’ efforts to end the war.
Sincerely,
Rep. Tim Ryan
Rep. Rosa DeLauro
Rep. Anna Eshoo
Rep. Marcy Kaptur
Rep. Jim Moran
Rep. Jose E. Serrano
Rep. James McGovern
Rep. William "Lacy" Clay
Rep. Hilda Solis
Rep. Bart Stupak
Rep. Joe Baca
Rep. Grace Napolitano
Rep. Dennis Kucinich
Rep. Charlie Wilson
cc: Dr. Stephen Colecchi, Director,
USCCB International Justice and Peace Committee
Please visit our website at http://ohiocatholicsforpeace.blogspot.com If you have any comments for us, or names and emails of friends and family that would like to receive our message, please drop us a line at ohiocatholicsforpeace@yahoo.com
From Congressman Tim Ryan: In late May I voted against the White House compromise with Congress that stripped the Iraq Supplemental of its timelines for withdrawal. Please be assured of my continuing commitment to bringing our troops home. I cannot allow the administration to continue its failed policies in Iraq. It has become clear that the only real way to support the troops is to bring them home as soon as possible. I can’t give the President another $120 billion without enforceable benchmarks and a timetable for withdrawal.
It is sometimes very discouraging, but I ask you to stay active in your communities and in your churches. Ending the war in Iraq is the great moral dilemma of our time. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Congressman Tim Ryan
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Congresswoman DeLauro Joins Fellow Catholics In Call For Peace
DeLauro Joins Fellow Catholics In Call For Peace
By DAVID LIGHTMAN
Washington Bureau Chief
4:34 PM EDT, July 3, 2007
WASHINGTON
Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro and 13 other Catholic members of Congress today released a letter calling on Catholic bishops to help end the war in Iraq.
"As Catholic members of Congress we stand in unison with the Catholic Church in opposition to the war in Iraq," the 3rd District congresswoman said in a statement. "Yet to attain the ideal of peace, we must not only speak the words, we must take action…"
As a result, she and her colleagues sent a letter to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urging them to "mobilize Catholic opinion on this, one of the most critical issues of our time."
The members want to meet with key Catholic officials, reminding them that "throughout our nation's history Catholics have been at the forefront of the fight for social justice. Now, at another critical moment, we respectfully urge the USCCB to join with us in mobilizing support for Congress' efforts to end the war."
DeLauro has been opposed to U.S. war policy from the start, and she was joined by Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, Jose E. Serrano, D-N.Y., and others in this letter.
Sister Mary Ann Walsh, director of the USCCB media relations office, said Tuesday the bishops "just received the letter," and noted "the bishops have voiced concern for the conflict in Iraq repeatedly since the war began and have repeatedly called for a responsible transition.
"As the bishops have stated," she said, "our leaderse have a moral obligation to examine where things genuinely stand in pursuing justice and peace in Iraq, to assess what is actually achieveable there, and to evaluate moral and human consequences of alternative courses of action and whether they truly contribute to a responsible transition."
Last fall, USCCB President William Skylstad said that "the search for genuine justice and peace in Iraq requires moral urgency, substantive dialogue and new directions."
And, he noted, "The Holy See and our bishops' conference have repeatedly expressed grave moral concerns about military intervention in Iraq and the unpredictable and uncontrollable negative consequences of invasion and occupation."
He hoped the United States would move beyond the political rhetoric that characterized the 2006 election season, and urged the White House and Congress "to engage in a collaborative dialogue that honestly assesses the situation in Iraq, acknowledges past difficulties and miscalculations, recognizes and builds on positive advances and reaches agreement on concrete steps to address the serious challenges that lie ahead."
The members' letter recalled those concerns.
"If we understand the Catholic tradition correctly," they said, "thoughtful church leaders around the world do not believe that the war in Iraq meets the strict conditions for a just war or the high moral standards for overriding the presumption against the use of force. We agree and seek an end to this injustice."
They also cite scripture.
"In our own education in the faith," they said, "we find the testimony of the Scriptures compelling, and although we have no illusions about the complexities of our current situation in Iraq, we have come to believe that peace cannot simply exist as an ideal -- our efforts must be accompanied by actions as we embrace the teachings of peace and justice."
Contact David Lightman
Copyright © 2007, The Hartford Courant
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