WASHINGTON (August 10, 2005)—In a
letter to Congress, Bishop John H. Ricard, S.S.J., Chairman of the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Policy,
expressed USCCB support for the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act.
“We believe this legislation will give added momentum to the search for a
genuine peace in Darfur and relief for its suffering people,” Bishop
Ricard wrote in a letter (Aug. 10th) to Chairman Henry J. Hyde, Chairman
of the House International Relations Committee.
“We cannot stand by while human life is threatened.” Bishop Ricard said.
“The United States and the international community can and must do more to
end this moral and humanitarian crisis.
The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (H.R. 3127) asserts the sense of
Congress that the African Union Peacekeeping Force be expanded and given a
stronger mandate and more generous logistical support, and the
International Criminal Court be assisted in bringing to justice those
accused of war crimes and genocide in Darfur.
In the letter, Bishop Ricard expressed satisfaction that the President has
appointed a special envoy to support efforts to promote peace in Sudan.
The Bishop recalled that six months ago the USCCB applauded the peace
agreement for Southern Sudan between the government in Khartoum and the
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). “At that same time, we
expressed the hope for an early end to the violence and atrocities being
committed against the people of Darfur in western Sudan.”
“Some progress is being made in the implementation of the peace agreement
covering Southern Sudan, but the tragic suffering of the people of Darfur
continues,” said Bishop Ricard, who has traveled to Sudan and Darfur.
“Despite the agreement reached at Abuja on July 5, 2005 between the
government in Khartoum and rebel forces in Darfur, and the efforts of the
international community and the African Union peacekeeping force, the
innocent people of Darfur are still suffering from the effects of violent
clashes between the Sudanese army and the rebel forces, as well as from
the continuing attacks against innocent civilians by the Janjaweed
militia.”
“We urge continuing pressure by the international community, including the
African Union, on the government in Khartoum and the rebel forces to cease
military operations,” Bishop Ricard stated. “The restoration of public
order is essential so that relief and reconstruction efforts can reach all
of the people of Darfur. The World Food Program’s prediction that 3.5
million people may require food assistance in Darfur illustrates the
urgency and magnitude of the crisis.”
The full text of Bishop Ricard’s letter follows:
August 10, 2005
The Honorable Henry J. Hyde
Chairman
House International Relations Committee
US House of Representatives
2110 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington DC 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Six months ago, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
applauded the peace agreement for Southern Sudan between the government in
Khartoum
and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). At that same
time, we
expressed the hope for an early end to the violence and atrocities being
committed against
the people of Darfur in western Sudan.
As the crisis continues in Darfur, I write today on behalf of the USCCB to
support
the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (H.R. 3127). We believe this
legislation will give added momentum to the search for a genuine peace in
Darfur and relief for its suffering people. The Act asserts the sense of
Congress that:
1. the African Union peacekeeping force be expanded and given a stronger
mandate
and more generous logistical support; and
2. the International Criminal Court be assisted in bringing to justice
those accused of
war crimes and genocide in Darfur.
We note with satisfaction that the President has appointed a special envoy
to
support efforts to promote peace in Sudan.
Some progress is being made in the implementation of the peace agreement
covering Southern Sudan, but the tragic suffering of the people of Darfur
continues.
Despite the agreement reached at Abuja on July 5, 2005 between the
government in
Khartoum and rebel forces in Darfur, and the efforts of the international
community and
the African Union peacekeeping force, the innocent people of Darfur are
still suffering
from the effects of violent clashes between the Sudanese army and the
rebel forces, as well as from the continuing attacks against innocent
civilians by the Janjaweed militia.
We urge continuing pressure by the international community, including the
African
Union, on the government in Khartoum and the rebel forces to cease
military operations.
The restoration of public order is essential so that relief and
reconstruction efforts can reach all of the people of Darfur. The World
Food Program’s prediction that 3.5 million people may require food
assistance in Darfur illustrates the urgency and magnitude of the crisis.
During my own travels to Sudan and Darfur, I have seen the untold human
suffering and other assaults upon the human dignity of our innocent
brothers and sisters.
We cannot stand idly by while human life is threatened. The United States
and the
international community can and must do more to end this moral and
humanitarian crisis.
We hope that passage of the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act will
reinforce the
urgency of a peaceful solution to the situation in Darfur that has so
tragically impacted
innocent people. We offer our prayers that their suffering may end soon.
Sincerely yours,
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Chairman, Committee on International
Policy
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