December 3, 2006 - U.S. Catholic Bishops Urge Responsible Transition in Iraq

A November 13, 2006 statement by the President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop William S. Skylstad, "Call for Dialogue and Action on Responsible Transition in Iraq," challenged U.S. leaders to engage in a "substantive, civil and non-partisan discussion of ways to plan and secure a responsible transition in Iraq" instead of the "divisive rhetoric of the recent campaign and the shrill and shallow debate that distorts reality and reduces the options to ‘cut and run' versus 'stay the course.'"

The statement was a follow-up to the January 12, 2006 statement, "Toward a Responsible Transition in Iraq," by Bishop Thomas G. Wenski, Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on International Policy. In his November 13 statement, Bishop Skylstad noted, "The Holy See and our bishops' Conference have repeatedly expressed grave moral concerns about military intervention in Iraq and the unpredictable and uncontrollable negative consequences of invasion and occupation."

There is, he said, a "need to engage in a collaborative dialogue that honestly assesses the situation in Iraq, acknowledges past difficulties and miscalculations" but there is equally a need for dialogue that "recognizes and builds on positive advances (e.g. broad participation in elections), and reaches agreement on concrete steps to address the serious challenges that lie ahead." It is essential, Bishop Skylstad continued, to "seriously examine alternative courses of action, especially in light of their human, moral and financial costs."

The Bishop emphasized that it is not possible to "just look back." "The intervention in Iraq has brought additional moral responsibilities to help Iraqis to secure and rebuild their country," he said, and the "Holy See and our Conference now support broad and necessary international engagement to promote stability and reconstruction in Iraq." Because of new moral responsibilities after entering the war, "our nation's military forces should remain in Iraq only as long as their presence contributes to a responsible transition," Bishop Skylstad said.

There are several benchmarks that urgently must be met in Iraq, he continued, including: "fostering adequate levels of security; curbing wanton killings, indefensible terrorist attacks and sectarian violence; strengthening the basic rule of law; promoting economic reconstruction to begin to create employment and economic opportunity for Iraqis; and supporting the further development of political structures and solutions that advance stability, political participation, and respect for religious freedom and basic human rights." The work must be done by Iraqis, he said, but the "United States and its coalition partners have a moral obligation to continue and intensify efforts with Iraqis, other countries in the region and the international community toward achieving these benchmarks." He particularly emphasized the importance of involving the Arab and Western European nations in the international effort for regional stability.

Bishop Skylstad then noted several other grave concerns, including the intesifying violence between the Shia and Sunni communities, the deteriorating rights of religious minorities in Iraq, the safety of U.S. military personnel, and the suffering of the Iraqi people.

He ended his statement with these words: "As President of our Conference of bishops, I make this appeal in the spirit of the Beatitudes, which assure us, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God' (Matthew 5:9)."

Questions
In his statement on behalf of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Skylstad spoke of "moral responsibilities" that the U.S. and international community have in Iraq. What are these responsibilities?

To whom does the U.S. and international community have responsibilities? What are their responsibilities to: U.S. soldiers, the Iraqi people, the international community, and other groups you thought of?

How well do you think world doing in living up to its responsibilities? Does Bishop Skylstad have any other criticisms of the way things are currently being done? What should be done differently?

Bishop Skylstad emphasized the need for collaborative dialogue that both acknowledges past mistakes and "reaches agreement on concrete steps to address the serious challenges that lie ahead." What can you do to encourage this kind of dialogue?

Prayer

Hear our voices,

Hear our voices,

Hear our voices,

Hear our voices,

Hear our voices,

O God, hear our voices, and grant unto the world Your everlasting peace.

Adapted by Pax Christi from Pope John Paul II's "Prayer for Peace 2003"

Note: A four-page update on the current situation in Iraq can be found in the "Peace" Justice Topic on the Education for Justice Website.