ACTION ALERT – SEPTEMBER 2002

ACTION ALERT – SEPTEMBER 2002

GOOD SHEPHERD VOICES FOR JUSTICE

(If you want to go right the ACTION section, go directly to the end of this document.)

NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, with over 11,000 members, calls for an end to the current movement toward a war on Iraq. Our faith compels us to use every possible non-violent means to resolve conflicts. Our membership within the global community mandates that we work together for a solution that will bring about a lasting peace.

War would result in the suffering and deaths of innocent Iraqi people, who have already suffered so much from the effects of the economic sanctions. War could easily fuel further terrorist attacks at home and abroad. NETWORK agrees with the statement made by Representative Dick Armey (R-TX), as reported in the New York Times, that "an unprovoked attack against Iraq would violate international law…" As much as we might detest the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, to date there has been no direct evidence for accusations that Iraq has any connection to attacks against the United States. The change to a preemptive strike policy is abhorrent and a dramatic shift in U.S. policy that NETWORK finds unacceptable. NETWORK opposes an unprovoked attack because it would violate not only international law, but also the moral imperative to work for peace.

At this critical time, with unrest in the Middle East escalating and the U.S. economy so significantly weakened that major cuts are being made in programs for human needs while billions of dollars are being spent on a military build up, NETWORK calls on the Administration and Congress to answer the following questions:

What direct evidence do we have as a basis for declaring a war on the people of Iraq?
What other diplomatic means can we use to address the situation in Iraq?
Have we been in dialog with the global community to determine if a U.S. unilateral action is considered an unauthorized act of aggression?
What assessment has there been of the consequences of a war on Iraq within the global community?
What information has been accurately communicated to the American people about a war on Iraq?
What would be the effects on our planet of a war on Iraq?
What would the human costs be if war were perpetrated?
What is the goal to be achieved by war?

PRAYER FOR PEACE WITH IRAQ

Gathering Prayer
Loving One, who showers blessings on all of creation, we implore you at this critical time to open our hearts and minds to peace. We come to you during this time of global crisis. We trust in your bountifulness and implore you to come to our aid.

Sample Readings from Scriptures
Exodus 2:23-25, Exodus 3:7-8, Psalm 146:7-8, Amos 5:21-24, Luke 3:11, Luke 4:18-19, Matthew 25:31-46.

Intercessions
O God of the nations, we join with you in our longing for peace among all peoples of the earth. We acknowledge our failings to promote peace, and we ask pardon, as we pray:

    Make us instruments of your peace.
We pray that dialogue among peoples will help us overcome distrust and cynicism:
    Make us instruments of your peace.
We pray that human ingenuity will benefit the whole human family:
    Make us instruments of your peace.
We pray that collaboration will replace destructive competition between countries:
    Make us instruments of your peace.
We pray that mutual respect among nations and peoples will replace exploitation:
    Make us instruments of your peace.
We pray that concern for the common good will permeate negotiations among nations:
    Make us instruments of your peace.

—Morning and Evening Prayer of the Sisters of Mercy, 1998

Closing Prayer
Thank you, God of the nations. We offer our prayer in union with all of creation as we long for the peace only you can give. Amen.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Oppose War on Iraq

Email the President, Vice-President and your Senators and Representative to let them know that you oppose the war on Iraq that seems to be in its planning stages. A sample letter is available at Legislative Action Center – simply click on the link below, review sign and send the sample letter.

http://capwiz.com/networklobby/mail/compose/?type=CO&mailid=403806&azip=53051