USCCB, CRS: international community should not arm sides in Syrian conflict
June 21, 2013
Days after the Obama administration announced it would send arms to Syrian rebels, the chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) joined the chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in calling upon Secretary of State John Kerry to work for an end to the Syrian conflict.
“The reported use of chemical weapons, the UN estimate of over 93,000 deaths, the displacement of millions from their homes, and the kidnapping of two Orthodox Archbishops on a mission of mercy all point to the devastation of the violent conflict in Syria and the urgent need for a negotiated ceasefire and political solution,” said Bishops Richard Pates of Des Moines and Gerald Kicanas of Tucson.
“Instead of arming both sides, the international community should be emphasizing the need for a negotiated solution to the conflict,” they added. “The introduction of more arms simply increases the lethality of the violence and contributes to the suffering of the Syrian people.”
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Further information:
- Bishops Pates and Kicanas Urge Secretary Kerry to Work for Syria Ceasefire (USCCB)
- Full text of letter (USCCB)
- Heavy Pressure Led to Decision by Obama on Syrian Arms (New York Times)
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Jun. 22, 2013 1:54 AM ET USA
Well, for once these bishops got it right!
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Jun. 21, 2013 7:17 PM ET USA
Amen. Don't put American weapons and ammunition in the hands of potential terrorists.
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Posted by: Defender -
Jun. 21, 2013 1:22 PM ET USA
And we know that the Muslim extremists won't turn and use these arms on the Christians in the area, right (we know how Obama and Cameron supportive of Christians they are in their own countries)?
