WASHINGTON (July 21, 2006)—The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops’ committee on international policy has sent a letter to senators
and representatives calling on lawmakers to do everything they can to help
end the escalating violence in the Middle East.
“The horrific cycle of violence in the Middle East is destroying the lives
of innocent people on all sides of the conflict. It is also destroying the
hopes for negotiations and accommodations that could lead to a just peace
that offers genuine security to Israelis, a viable state for Palestinians
and real independence for the Lebanese people,” Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of
Orlando, (FL) wrote in his July 20 letter. “The Catholic community is
deeply and urgently concerned about the human costs, the moral
implications and future consequences of these unfolding events.”
Bishop Wenski also called attention to the recent statements of Pope
Benedict XVI, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the leaders of
Christian communities of the Holy Land regarding the conflicts. These
statements can be found at
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp.org/sdwp/international/mideastind.htm#general
“We hope and pray that you will do all that you can do to end this
terrible cycle of violence and to protect the lives and dignity of
Israelis, Palestinians and Lebanese,” Bishop Wenski wrote. “We stand ready
to work with those who work for a just and lasting peace in the Land that
three faiths call Holy.”
Bishop Wenski’s letter follows.
Dear Senator:
Dear Representative:
The horrific cycle of violence in the Middle East is destroying the lives
of innocent people on all sides of the conflict. It is also destroying the
hopes for negotiations and accommodations that could lead to a just peace
that offers genuine security to Israelis, a viable state for Palestinians
and real independence for the Lebanese people.
The Catholic community is deeply and urgently concerned about the human
costs, the moral implications and future consequences of these unfolding
events. As you deliberate about policies and actions to address the
conflict, I wish to call to your attention the recent statements of Pope
Benedict XVI, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the leaders of
Christian communities of the Holy Land regarding the situation. (See: web
site address:
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/mideastind.htm#general
Here is a summary of the statement by Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, Chair,
Committee on International Policy of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops.
* The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops condemns the terror and
provocative acts of Hamas and Hezbollah that precipitated the crises,
including cross-border attacks, abductions and the continuing indefensible
rocket and missile attacks on Israeli citizens, both Jews and Arabs. These
radical armed groups (and their supporters in Syria and Iran) both bear
the responsibility for initiating the current cycle of violence.
* Israel clearly has a right to defend itself, but as Cardinal Angelo
Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, said, Israel’s right to self-defense
“does not exempt it from respecting the norms of international law,
especially as regards the protection of civilian populations.” Israel’s
response has been in some instances militarily disproportionate and
indiscriminate. In light of traditional Catholic teaching, massive
counterattacks on civilian areas and infrastructure, blockades and other
acts of war should not be supported. Punishment of entire peoples for the
indefensible acts of militant armed factions contradicts traditional just
war norms. A humanitarian crisis is growing in Gaza and Lebanon.
* Only genuine dialogue and negotiations can bring a lasting and just
peace to the region. As Bishop Wenski stated in his appeal to political
leaders, it is “clear that violence, from whatever side, for whatever
purpose, cannot bring a lasting or just peace in the Land we call Holy.”
The recurrent cycle of terrorist attacks, deliberate provocations and
disproportionate military responses undermines the brave and wise people
on all sides who seek a just, two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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* Regarding Lebanon, the rocket attacks and the bombings of innocent
civilians are morally indefensible. Unjustifiable and indiscriminate
attacks, and excessive military responses, endanger innocent lives and
undermine Lebanon’s struggle to free itself from outside domination and
from serving once again as a bloody pawn in the broader Middle East
conflict.
* The United States must exercise greater leadership to end the current
cycle of violence, condemn all attacks on civilians, secure an effective
and immediate ceasefire, open humanitarian corridors, oppose
disproportionate and indiscriminate actions, and move toward negotiations
between Israelis and Palestinians to advance a two-state solution, and
ensure the independence of Lebanon.
We hope and pray that you will do all that you can to end this terrible
cycle of violence and to protect the lives and dignity of Israelis,
Palestinians and Lebanese. We stand ready to work with those who work for
a just and lasting peace in the Land that three faiths call Holy.
Sincerely yours,
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski
Bishop of Orlando
Chairman, Committee on International Policy