U.S. bishops to Obama : No military attack in Syria
Sept 5, 2013: The Catholic bishops of the United States are opposed to any military
action against Syria and called on President Barack Obama to engage instead in the
search for a cease -fire and an end to the civil war. In a letter to Obama , the Episcopal
Conference recalls that Francis Pope and the Middle East bishops urgently asked the
international community to avoid any military intervention , which would have " unintended
negative consequences" , and would "exacerbate an already deadly situation".
The
letter, signed by Card. Timothy Dolan , president of the episcopal conference and
by Msgr. Richard Pates , president of the Justice and Peace Commission , condemned
the use of chemical weapons , but insists on the judgment of Pope Francis, according
to which " God and history " will judge those who use them .
The bishops also
appealed to all Catholics in the United States to contact U.S. lawmakers pressing
on them to vote against military intervention. The vote is scheduled from September
9 on. The appeal also asks the faithful to push political representatives so that
" U.S. leadership , in collaboration with the international community " can work for
"an immediate ceasefire in Syria and serious, inclusive negotiations for peace".
Bishops
revealed that on August 29 Msgr. Pates sent a letter to John Kerry, U.S. Secretary
of State , which expresses the Church's position : " [T]he path of dialogue and negotiation
between all components of Syrian society, with the support of the international community,
is the only option to put an end to the conflict and to the violence that every day
causes the loss of so many human lives....' We ask the United States to work with
other governments to obtain a ceasefire, initiate serious negotiations, provide impartial
and neutral humanitarian assistance, and encourage building an inclusive society in
Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens, including Christians and other
minorities." (Source: Asia News)