Members of Congress urge US bishops to intervene in Iraq War

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 10

Washington D.C., Jul 5, 2007 / 11:30 am (CNA).- Fourteen Catholic members of Congress released a letter on Tuesday, calling on the country’s Catholic bishops to help end the war in Iraq. The letter urges the bishops to "mobilize Catholic opinion on this, one of the most critical issues of our time."

"If we understand the Catholic tradition correctly," the members of Congress wrote, "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."

The members asked to meet with key Catholic officials. They reminded the bishops that "throughout our nation's history, Catholics have been at the forefront of the fight for social justice.”

"As Catholic members of Congress, we stand in unison with the Catholic Church in opposition to the war in Iraq," said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro in a statement. "Yet to attain the ideal of peace, we must not only speak the words, we must take action."

Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, director of the USCCB media relations office, confirmed with the Hartford Courant that the bishops’ conference received the letter.

"The bishops have voiced concern for the conflict in Iraq repeatedly since the war began and have repeatedly called for a responsible transition," she noted.

Comments: 10

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Nicholas Larkin
Delta, Colorado 07/06/2007 11:18 AM EST

Hmmm, what does it take to get an article in to the Catholic New's Agency againts politicians???

Published by: Jason Yarbrough
Spartaburg/SC/USA 07/06/2007 10:07 AM EST

The hipocracy of these people is unbelieveable. I seem to remember another letter they wrote recently.

Published by: Stephen G. Smith
Commack, NY 07/05/2007 09:19 PM EST

I commend those members of Congress that are requesting the help of the USCCB to help pursue peace in Iraq. To follow the true tenents of our Catholic Social Teaching it is imperative that our religious leaders seek peace and not war. This war has not been fought on moral grounds. We entered into this war against the Iraqi people based on lies, manipulations and deceptions. Thomas Merton writes that, "I cannot make good choices unless I develop a mature and prudent conscience that gives me an accurate account of my motives, my intentions and my moral acts." It is obvious a prudent conscience did not make this decision. The motives were based on manipulations and the intentions were to control a country rich in oil. We have a moral obligation to act in good conscience when a decision is made to enter a foreign contry and destroy human life.

Published by: Lisa Ramseyer
Sidney, Illinois 07/05/2007 03:52 PM EST

I'm left wondering if these same members of congress are taking the bishops' concern for stopping the abortion industry from killing babies (the death-toll being equivilent to all wars in American history combined) and the militant homosexual lobbyists from destroying the family as seriously as they press for an end to the war in Iraq in which there is less urgency and less clear-cut evidence of injustice. I think it all boils down to the people with the most money win the congressman/woman's ear. Where, oh where has our moral compass gone?
Lisa

Published by: RichG
Chicago/Illinois/cook 07/05/2007 03:50 PM EST

Who were the 14 and are they prolife or proabortion?

Published by: Terry Morgan
Stratford, CT, USA 07/05/2007 02:50 PM EST

Seems DeLauro is not opposed to using the Catholic Church to further her agenda when convenient, but should the Catholic Church speak out against a stand she supports, such as abortion, she has no problem in writing letters accusing the Church of creating an atmosphere of anti-catholic bigotry when our bishops use their teaching authority to deny politicians who support abotion from receiving the Eucharist. Seems to me DeLauro wants to have it both ways - Separation of Church and State - when it suits her.

Published by: John Brunson
Orange County, California 07/05/2007 02:21 PM EST

Did the letter mention anything about the injustice of abortion to the unborn? Catholic tradition is anti-abortion. While Catholic Congresspeople were at it, they could have thrown in this issue as well - if not why not? With separation of Church and state and considerating that the US Bishops do not run the US Government, what are the US Bishops supposed to do?

Published by: Gerry
PA/USA 07/05/2007 01:31 PM EST

To leave Iraq now would abandon the Iraqi people to far more violence and make the US far less safe.

Too bad these Catholic legislators do not appeal to the bishops to oust Catholic politicians who openly support abortion and gay rights.

Published by: Dayton
OKC 07/05/2007 01:20 PM EST

To be clear, I hate the war as much as anyone. That being said, I sincerely hope that this group of politicians doesn't include any of those who griped about the Holy Father's comments on pro-choice politicians. I'm tired of seeing politicians who are only Catholic when it helps their cause.

Published by: phil floersh
tucson/az/usa 07/05/2007 01:10 PM EST

The Catholic politicians are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites!!!! How about their advocacy of abortion???

phil

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com