Jesuit Superior General: Military action in Syria would be "an abuse of power"
Sept 05, 2013: The Jesuit General, Father Adolfo Nicolas, in an interview with John
Pontifex of the Independent Catholic News posted on September 4, says military action
in Syria would be an abuse of power.
The Jesuit General has accused the United
States and France of an "abuse of power", in considering military action in Syria
and says the Jesuits fully support Pope Francis' call for a day of prayer and fasting
in support of peace this Saturday.
While he says he would not normally comment
on international or political situations, Father General Adolfo Nicolás SJ says the
current circumstances mean he cannot keep silent, stating: "I cannot understand who
gave the United States or France the right to act against a country in a way that
will certainly increase the suffering of the citizens of that country, who, by the
way, have already suffered beyond measure."
Fr Nicolás outlines three fundamental
problems. Firstly, an abuse of power which, he says, would be like "the big boy of
the neighbourhood" abusing, harassing and bullying the weaker members of the community.
Secondly, he expresses concern about the lack of concrete information about the use
of chemical weapons in Syria. And he highlights in particular the impact that any
military action by the US and France would have upon "the ordinary innocent and poor
people" of Syria.
The Jesuit General says "the danger is now" and he echoes
the Holy Father's call for a day of prayer and fasting for peace on 7 September. The
full text of the extraordinary interview with him is given below.
Interview
with Father General about Syria and peace
Q. The Holy Father has gone out of
the way to speak for Peace in Syria, which is now under threat of a new attack by
the United States and France. What do you think in this regard?
R. It is not
customary for me to make comments on situations that have to do with international
or political situations. But in the present case we are dealing with a Humanitarian
situation that exceeds all the limits that would ordinarily keep me silent. I have
to confess that I cannot understand who gave the United States or France the right
to act against a Country in a way that will certainly increase the suffering of the
citizens of that country, who, by the way, have already suffered beyond measure. Violence
and violent action, like what is being planned, have to always be the last resort
and administered in such a way that only the guilty are affected. In the case of a
Country this is evidently impossible to control and, thus, it seems to me totally
unjustified. We, Jesuits, support 100% the Holy Father and wish with all our hearts
that the threatened attack on Syria does not take place.
Q. But, hasn´t the
world a responsibility to do something against those who abuse power against their
own people, like a Government using chemical weapons in a conflict?
R. We have
right here three different problems that it is important to state clearly. The first
is that all abuse of power is to be condemned and rejected. And, with all respect
for the people of the United States, I think that a military intervention like the
one being planned is itself an abuse of power. The US has to stop acting and reacting
like the big boy of the neighborhood of the world. This leads inevitably to abuse,
harassment and bullying of the weaker members of the community.
The second
is that if there has been use of chemical weapons we still have to probe in a way
that is clear to the whole world that one party in the conflict and not the other
has used them. It is not enough that some members of the punishing Government make
a statement of conviction. They have to convince the world, so that the world can
trust in them. This confidence does not happen today, and many have already started
speculation about the ulterior motives that the USA may have in the projected intervention.
And
the third, that the means considered adequate to punish the abuse do not harm the
very victims of the original abuse, once it has been proved to exist. Past experience
teaches us that this is practically impossible (even if we call the victims "collateral
damage") and the results increase the suffering of the ordinary innocent and poor
people. We all know that the great concern of the Wise Elders and Religious Founders
of all traditions and cultures was "how to reduce human suffering?" It is very worrying
that in the name of justice we plan an attack that will increase the suffering of
the victims.
Q. Aren´t you particularly harsh on the United States?
R.
I do not think so. I have no prejudice regarding this great Country and I have a few
American Jesuits working with me whose opinions and services I value very highly.
I have never entertained any negative feelings against the United States, a Country
that I admire on many counts, including commitment, spirituality and thought. What
disturbs me most now is that precisely this country I respect so much is at the point
of doing such a terrible mistake. And something similar goes for France. A Country
that has been a real leader in esprit, intelligence, and that has made gigantic contributions
to Civility and Culture is now tempted to bring us back to barbarism, in open contradiction
of what France has been a symbol of for many past generations: That two such Countries
would come together for such an outrageous measure is part of the world´s anger. We
are not afraid of the attack; we are afraid of the barbarism to which we are being
lead
Q. But why speak out now?
R. Because the danger is now. Because
the Holy Father has taken a measure that is extraordinary to indicate the urgency
of the moment. To indicate that the 7th of September is a day of Fasting for the sake
of Peace is an extraordinary measure and we want to join him in it. Remember that
at one point in the Gospel, when the disciples of Jesus could not liberate a young
man from an evil spirit, Jesus told them: "This kind of spirits cannot be driven away
if not by prayer and fasting" I find it extremely upsetting that a Country that considers
itself, at least nominally, Christian, could not imagine other ways of acting that
would not be "military", and, instead, contribute to bring Humanity back to the law
of the jungle.