International Issues
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fargo comments on USCCB Statement on Iraq
11/14/2007 10:07 AM
The President of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop
William S. Skylstad, Bishop of Spokane, issued a
statement released Nov. 13 which calls for a
responsible transition in Iraq. During their
general meeting in Baltimore Nov. 12, the bishops of
the United States gave their affirmation to his
letter, entitled A Call for Bipartisan Cooperation on
Responsible Transition in Iraq.
Bishop Samuel Aquila of the Diocese of Fargo commented on the statement via an e-mail to the diocesan offices in Fargo today. He addressed the phrase “responsible transition” and called for continued prayer.
“‘Responsible’ means political leaders must put aside their partisan views and vote-seeking agendas and work in cooperation with each other to determine how to incrementally lessen the U.S. presence in Iraq while providing for the support and safety of the people of Iraq. Definite strategies must be developed that ensure a shift from an environment of war to an existence in peace,” Bishop Aquila wrote.
“‘Transition’ means a gradual, well-planned movement which focuses on the care and dignity of each human person who is involved in the war in Iraq,” he continued. “Responsible transition can be accomplished only if our politicians put others before themselves – put peace, life and the common good before their own political popularity or party agenda. They must ask those most close to the conflict – the Iraqis, the refugees, the military personnel – what they see as needs, rather than sitting behind desks, determining strategies that look good on paper but fail when implemented.
“A pull-out from Iraq based on the schedules of politicians is not the answer nor is remaining in Iraq based on the interests of the U.S. alone. Responsible transition, based upon the dignity, safety and needs of the human persons whose lives are most closely affected by this war, is the only answer.
Bishop Aquila concluded with a call for continued prayer. “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Fargo continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, for our service men and women, and for wisdom for all leaders and politicians involved in resolving the present conflict.”
Bishop Samuel Aquila of the Diocese of Fargo commented on the statement via an e-mail to the diocesan offices in Fargo today. He addressed the phrase “responsible transition” and called for continued prayer.
“‘Responsible’ means political leaders must put aside their partisan views and vote-seeking agendas and work in cooperation with each other to determine how to incrementally lessen the U.S. presence in Iraq while providing for the support and safety of the people of Iraq. Definite strategies must be developed that ensure a shift from an environment of war to an existence in peace,” Bishop Aquila wrote.
“‘Transition’ means a gradual, well-planned movement which focuses on the care and dignity of each human person who is involved in the war in Iraq,” he continued. “Responsible transition can be accomplished only if our politicians put others before themselves – put peace, life and the common good before their own political popularity or party agenda. They must ask those most close to the conflict – the Iraqis, the refugees, the military personnel – what they see as needs, rather than sitting behind desks, determining strategies that look good on paper but fail when implemented.
“A pull-out from Iraq based on the schedules of politicians is not the answer nor is remaining in Iraq based on the interests of the U.S. alone. Responsible transition, based upon the dignity, safety and needs of the human persons whose lives are most closely affected by this war, is the only answer.
Bishop Aquila concluded with a call for continued prayer. “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Fargo continue to pray for peace in the Middle East, for our service men and women, and for wisdom for all leaders and politicians involved in resolving the present conflict.”
BISHOPS CALL FOR BIPARTISAN COOPERATION AND RESPONSIBLE TRANSITION IN IRAQ
11/14/2007 10:02 AM
WASHINGTON-The United
States and its leaders must work together in a
bipartisan fashion to bring about a responsible
transition in Iraq that ends the war at the earliest
opportunity and minimizes the loss of lives, American
and Iraqi. This was the major thrust of a
statement by Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, the
President of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops, that was affirmed by the full body of
bishops at their general meeting on November 12 in
Baltimore.
“As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops gathers in Baltimore, our thoughts and prayers are with our military personnel in Iraq, their families, and all the suffering people of Iraq,” Bishop Skylstad said.
The statement decried “the political stalemate in Iraq that blocks national reconciliation” and “finds a parallel” in “the political and partisan stalemate in Washington.” Bishop Skylstad continued, “Our country needs a new direction to reduce the war’s deadly toll and to bring our people together to deal with the conflict’s moral and human dimensions. Our nation needs a new bipartisan approach to Iraq policy based on honest and civil dialogue.”
The statement noted that our nation faces important challenges and decisions about the terrible dilemmas in Iraq. “Our nation must focus more on the ethics of exit than on the ethics of intervention. The morally and politically demanding but carefully limited goal of responsible transition should aim to reduce further loss of life and address the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, the refugee crisis in the region, the need to help rebuild the country and human rights, especially religious freedom.”
Read the full statement.
Questions and Answers on the War in Iraq
“As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops gathers in Baltimore, our thoughts and prayers are with our military personnel in Iraq, their families, and all the suffering people of Iraq,” Bishop Skylstad said.
The statement decried “the political stalemate in Iraq that blocks national reconciliation” and “finds a parallel” in “the political and partisan stalemate in Washington.” Bishop Skylstad continued, “Our country needs a new direction to reduce the war’s deadly toll and to bring our people together to deal with the conflict’s moral and human dimensions. Our nation needs a new bipartisan approach to Iraq policy based on honest and civil dialogue.”
The statement noted that our nation faces important challenges and decisions about the terrible dilemmas in Iraq. “Our nation must focus more on the ethics of exit than on the ethics of intervention. The morally and politically demanding but carefully limited goal of responsible transition should aim to reduce further loss of life and address the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, the refugee crisis in the region, the need to help rebuild the country and human rights, especially religious freedom.”
Read the full statement.
Questions and Answers on the War in Iraq