Prayer to Ban Torture

At a time when we are shocked and ashamed by reports of torture in U.S. prisons, we recall the words of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in their October 2005 letter: "There can be no compromise on the moral imperative to protect the basic human rights of any individual incarcerated for any reason."

And so we pray:

For recognition of the "special dignity in every human being that comes from the fact that we are brothers and sisters in God's one human family" . . . (Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, June 13, 2006)

God, help us to uphold the dignity of all in our human family.

That all persons, especially those incarcerated indefinitely at Guantanamo Bay and other prisons in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the world, would be treated according to the "highest ethical standards" . . . (Bishop Thomas Wenski, June 13, 2006)

God, help us to uphold the dignity of all in our human family.

For policies which ban the use of torture and which recognize that: "Torture is a dehumanizing and terrible attack against human nature and the respect we owe for each other" . . . (Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, June 13, 2006)

God, help us to uphold the dignity of all in our human family.

Help us to take seriously our call as Catholics to uphold the dignity of all people in our human family. Inspire us to urge our leaders to reject torture and mistreatment in all forms. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord, Giver of Life.

Amen.

By Jill Rauh, Education for Justice