USCCB committee fears ‘unjustified and unwise’ military action against Iran
December 20, 2012
In a letter to National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon, the chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace called for “immediate initiation of direct US-Iran negotiations.”
Quoting the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, Bishop Richard Pates said that “engaging in a preventive war without clear proof that an attack is imminent cannot fail to raise serious moral and juridical questions.”
“Our concerns are twofold,” Bishop Pates added: “first, Iran’s resistance to credible restrictions on its enrichment activities under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; and second, the possibility of unjustified and unwise military action that could dramatically worsen an already critical situation.”
“A peaceful resolution will require direct, sustained negotiations over a considerable period of time,” he continued. It is the opinion of our Committee that direct talks between the United State and Iran must begin soon, so as to prevent further escalation. Initiating such talks should be done without preconditions and might include extending to Iran some relief from current international sanctions.”
“The stakes are too high and the threats to human life too great to do less.”
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Further information:
- Bishop Pates To National Security Advisor: Negotiations Essential To Preventing Military Conflict With Iran (USCCB)
- Full text of letter (USCCB)
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Posted by: mgreen32234 -
Dec. 21, 2012 10:24 AM ET USA
What nerve. What pompous arrogant nerve. The world needs the most intense spiritual intervention from our supposed shepherds. We don't need more politicians.
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Posted by: unum -
Dec. 21, 2012 8:32 AM ET USA
When Israel is "nuked", what advice will the USCCB have for our government officials? Some of our bishops are clearly engaging in political activity for which they are not qualified by education or experience. The bishops should be pointing out the moral principles involved in political matters in order to teach the laity, but they should leave politics to the politicians.
