February 2003

Sisters join voices with others urging peace  

Like many of you the Sisters of St. Joseph are deeply concerned about the possibility and potential for full-scale war, aggressive military action and the loss of life of not only American military personnel but of the people of Iraq and the Middle East as well.

Like many of you, we are struggling to discern the justice of the proposed military action on the part of the United States and listening deeply for the movement of the Holy Spirit within our own hearts and consciences.

We find that our government’s proposed military action to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq is in direct conflict with the criteria for a Just War, which are widely accepted criteria among nations today.

Because of these realities we have joined our voices to the growing chorus of voices in the U.S. and throughout the world who oppose a unilateral, pre-emptive strike on Iraq.

Sisters of St. Joseph throughout the U.S. and the world have been responding with opposition to the proposed action in Iraq and have been speaking in diverse ways, both personally and publically, on behalf of the unity of all creation and the dignity of every human person.

Like you, we have seen the violence escalating, and have also seen signs of hope for peace as people all over the U.S. and throughout the world, make their desires for peaceful resolution known by their participation in rallies, marches and other peaceful demonstrations.

Because the issues at hand are complex, subtle and at times beyond the scope of our full knowledge, the formulation of any opinion or the determination of any action is to be carefully and conscientiously discerned.

As Catholics, each of us is responsible for properly and prayerfully forming our conscience in accord with the tenets of our faith and the established guidelines for conscience formation.

These guidelines include prayerful consideration and study of the issue at hand, particularly from a faith perspective, conversation with those who have particular expertise regarding the issue, frequent recourse to prayer and an openness to follow the movement of the Holy Spirit regardless of where that might lead.

We have always known that what we do or do not do, what we say or do not say all have moral implications. Perhaps now more than ever, as the world teeters on the brink of massive destruction and further loss of life, we are more readily able to see the morality of our choices and behavior.

As we each prayerfully tend to a conscientious response to the world around us, we urge you to visit our website at www.stjoseph-baden.org for an opportunity to join us in prayer and to consider our commitment to peace and non-violence.

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