Pax Christi International ~ Newsletter 111 ~ 1 May 2003

IRAQ

War in Iraq

After war began, partners of Pax Christi International have spoken out against the war in Iraq – its legality and its morality. As the war unfolded efforts of member organisations and of Pax Christi International have largely focussed on the humanitarian dimension of the conflict while continuing to monitor the situation in the region for the long-term effects of military action. Following is an overview of the latest statements and initiatives.

Pax Christi International Urges End to Iraqi War and Help in Humanitarian Crisis

Paris, 30-31 March, the Executive Committee on of Pax Christi International noted the initiatives of its various member organisations in opposing the war and in pursuing peaceful alternatives.

The committee also issued the following statement:

“The Pax Christi International Executive Committee encourages and endorses all efforts to bring an end to this illegal and immoral war and is deeply concerned about the emerging humanitarian crisis. We insist that immediate provisions be made to ensure that the victims of the war have access to the basic necessities and support in rebuilding their human dignity.

On the 40th anniversary of the encyclical Pacem in Terris of Pope John XXIII, the Executive Committee is reminded of that document’s emphasis on the importance of an international legal and moral authority for the world, that of the United Nations. We call for a more effective and democratic functioning of the United Nations in order to avert unilateral military responses to violent conflict in the future. We strongly support an active role for the UN in Iraq, both now and in the future, in accordance with international law.

The Executive Committee is heartened by the opposition to war expressed by church authorities, faith communities and public opinion, noting the opportunity to build and strengthen a global peace movement towards a new moral framework to respond to conflict. Churches and people of all faiths can and should play a constructive role in responsible political participation and conflict resolution to prevent governments from resorting to war.”

The statement is also available in French here or from the International Secretariat (Ref. ME52EF03).

Pax Christi Austria Sends Open Letter to the USA

On 26 March 2003, the Austrian section of Pax Christi addressed an open letter to the peace movement in the United States of America soon after the outbreak of war in Iraq. The letter expressed disappointment over the failure of diplomatic efforts to prevent the war and laid blame for the war squarely at the feet of corporate interests in the US. “It is not you, citizens of the United States… but a mighty group of conservative politicians with a broad business lobby of industrialists” who wage this war,” the letter said.

The message condemned particularly the policies of US President George W. Bush, acting “without any scruple” and disregarding the safety of the Iraqi people and American soldiers.

The Austrian section also underscored the scandalous manner in which Christian language and values have been appropriated in the articulation of US policy toward Iraq. Citing the strong objections that have been raised by virtually all-major US church bodies, as well as by the Pope, the section urged people of faith in the US to resist the “false patriotic sentiments” that lend tacit support to the war and to take decisive action to bring it to an immediate end.

Religious Leaders Arrested near White House for Protest Against War

Pax Christi USA coordinator Dave Robinson was among a group of 68 demonstrators who were arrested in Washington on 27 March 2003 in a non-violent protest against the US-led war in Iraq. Also arrested were two Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Jody Williams, and dozens of others, including United Methodist bishop Joseph Sprague, Roman Catholic bishop Thomas Gumbleton and former US Defence Department official Daniel Ellsberg.

Bishop Gumbleton of Detroit had travelled to Iraq last January. "As people of faith and conscience, we proclaim that it is a grave sin to support this war," he said. "We cannot stand silent while the Bush administration murders innocent men, women and children."

“Nearly every religious denomination in the world has condemned the Bush administration's war against Iraq as a crime against peace," said Pax Christi’s Dave Robinson. "Today Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Muslims, human rights and peace activists unite our voices against a war which is immoral, unjust, unethical and unnecessary."

Bishop Sprague explained his reasons for undertaking this action. "The United Methodist bishops have sent four letters to the president and vice president, whom many of you know are both Methodists, seeking a meeting to discuss this war," he stated. Sprague went on to say that only "one terse reply" was forthcoming from the Bush administration and that no meeting was in sight.

The leaders of the action walked to LafayettePark at the corner of Madison and H Street, where D.C. Park Police had closed and barricaded the park. Individually and in small groups, protestors began crossing the barricades and held a prayer service to mourn the victims of the Iraq war and to challenge the Bush administration to end the violence. The 68 arrested were charged, released and will later appear in court. For more information on this action, see the press section of Pax Christi USA’s website at

German Pax Christi Member Reaches Out to People of Baghdad

In March 2003, Fred Klinger, a member of Pax Christi’s German section, travelled to Baghdad to serve as a “human shield” for Iraqi civilians in the US-led military assault on Iraq. Enduring continual aerial bombardments, clouds of smoke and constant concern for his personal safety, Klinger was nonetheless able to move about Baghdad freely and to speak with ordinary citizens about the war. He noted an eagerness to defend the city against the “foreign aggressors,” he said, even among women and children. He also noted the Iraqi people’s responsiveness to his presence of solidarity and peace, even though he came from the ostensibly hostile West.

-Report of Fred Klinger’s witness in Baghdad filed before the coalition assault on the city. [For an update on his activities, please contact Pax Christi Germany at .

Pax Christi USA Coordinator and Others Meet with Kofi Annan on Iraq

On 28 March 2003, US religious leaders met with Kofi Annan. Pax Christi USA National Coordinator Dave Robinson, along with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and United Methodist Bishop Joseph Sprague, warned the UN secretary general of a looming humanitarian catastrophe facing the Iraqi people as a result of the war.

Annan informed the group that millions of Iraqis then lacked access to safe water, sanitation and adequate nutrition. As the war intensified, a deepening crisis in the civilian population was expected. [This report was filed earlier last month before the beginning of humanitarian assistance to Iraq.]

Frustrated by the seeming paralysis in international diplomacy, the delegation also asked Annan to consider an offer advanced by a coalition of religious groups and non-governmental organizations to broker a cease-fire and to coordinate efforts to address the humanitarian crisis. Robinson reiterated the Catholic Church’s condemnation of the war but pleaded for a shift in analysis that would now examine how the war was being waged. He urged that reports be issued “on the use by U.S. forces of depleted uranium, cluster bombs and the number of civilian casualties."

During the meeting, the secretary general expressed appreciation for the role those religious organisations have played in trying to end the war against Iraq. Annan also thanked Robinson for the efforts of Pax Christi USA to bring Pope John Paul II to the U.N. to make a special appeal to members of the Security Council.

Emergency Special Session

On 1 April 2003, as representatives of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are accredited to the United Nations office in Vienna, Pax Christi International in cooperation with the NGO Committee on Peace has appealed to the United Nations for a Special Session on Iraq. Letters have been sent to the President of the Security Council and the General Assembly, as well as to the Secretary General of the United Nations to request the immediate convening of an “ emergency special session” of the UN General Assembly according to the procedures given in General Assembly Resolution 377 A (V) section A, paragraph 1.

The members expressed concern about the war against Iraq fearing human casualties and vast destruction of infrastructure of the country. They considered that the Security Council has not been able to assure the maintenance of international peace, hence it is required that the UN General Assembly convenes to make appropriate recommendations for collective measures to restore international peace.

Letters from Iraq

Dennis Warner was Pax Christi International’s Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva in 2000. Since 2001, Dennis and his wife Candy live in WashingtonDC where he is a member of the Pax Christi Metro DC board.

Last year, while working with the International Solidarity Movement in Palestine, he filed reports from the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem for The Catholic Peace Voice. He is currently in Iraq providing emergency humanitarian aid to victims of the war there. As he is able, he will be sending back reports and reflections on the situation in Iraq. Dennis decided to be a member of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) in Iraq. When a humanitarian crisis arises, a team of experts (DART) is assembled and sent to determine what kind of relief measures are needed. Dennis Warner has been sending us his “Letters from Iraq.” (Ref.: ME.58.E.03). Julia Stuckey, present Pax Christi International Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva is working for three months in (Iraqi) refugee camps in Jordan. As a medical doctor, she is with the World Health Organisation.

Anti-War Demonstration held near Mumbai India

On 1 April 2003, about 3000 men and women holding anti-war and anti-terrorism placards marched to protest against growing violence on international, national & local levels. The march was organised by the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Vasai near Mumbai. Fr. Francis D’Britto, of Harit Vasai, an organisation affiliated to Pax Christi International lead the demonstration. Addressing the gathering, he said: “The world is plagued with the killer virus of hatred and violence. Innocent people are killed by the uncalled for war against Iraq. Similarly the terrorists victimize the families of Kashmiri Pundits. People of good will must rally together to fight the evil of hatred”.

Earlier, on 20 and 24 March, the Justice & Peace Commission of the Diocese of Vasai had organized meetings to protest in various places against War against Iraq and to pray for World Peace.

Documents on the Middle East (including Iraq) available from the International Secretariat: (click on the underlined text to follow link)

  • Letters from Bethlehem, Arab Educational Institute. No.52 (Ref.: ME.57.E.03) No.53 (Ref.: ME.53.E.03;
  • “A Map without a Road?” Dr Harry Hagopian, LL.D, KOG-KSL, (Ref. ME.54.E.03).
  • Interview with Hania Bitar, Arab Educational Institute, (Ref. ME.55.E.03).
  • SECAM Statement on Iraq, Archbishop L. Monsengwo, President of SECAM, in French, 10 March 2003, (Ref.: ME.70.F.03).
  • Easter Reflections on Iraq War by Reinhard Voss, Pax Christi Germany, in German. (Ref.: ME.54.G.03.)
  • Interview with Dr Hayder Abdel Shafi, Arab Educational Institute, ref.: ME.59.E.03.
  • Easter Message Arab Educational Institute. (Ref.: ME.63.E.03).
  • Easter Message Msgr. Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in English and in French. (Ref.: ME.64.EF.03).
  • Easter Homily Msgr. Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in English and in French. (Ref: ME.68.EF.03).
  • “Happy Resurrection, Unhappy Easter!” Dr Harry Hagopian LL.D, KOG-KSL. (Ref.: ME.69.E.03).
  • “La Paix a Besoin de Tous”, Statement on Iraq of French NGOs, including Pax Christi France, in French. (Ref.: ME.67.F.03).

ISRAEL/PALESTINE

Pax Christi Germany Applauds Award for Israeli Activist

Pax Christi Germany recently congratulated Ishai Menuchin for receiving the Oscar Romero Award for Commitment to Truth and Freedom. Ishai Menuchin is a major in the Israel Defence Forces and leader of Yesh Gvul, an Israeli soldiers' movement of those who refuse to take part in their country’s occupation and police actions in Palestinian territories. The German section commended Menuchin’s commitment to “human rights for all people… and for the soldiers who are not willing to contribute to the violation of [Palestinian] rights.”

Menuchin traces his opposition to the occupation to the early days of Israel’s 25-year-long conflict with Lebanon. Over 3000 soldiers during that period are estimated to have signed a petition of protest against the occupation. Almost 200 were imprisoned. Today Yesh Gvul – meaning There's a Limit in Hebrew – continues to provide support for conscientious objectors and to reach out to soldiers as they consider service in the OccupiedTerritories.

Like most Israeli conscientious objectors, Menuchin serves in the army, fulfilling his reserve duty of around thirty days every year, but refuses to participate in military actions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. "Occupation is immoral,” he says. “We are supposed to be living in a democratic society here. [Citizens of a democracy] cannot be part of an occupation." For more information on the selective refuser network in Israel, visit the Yesh Gvul website at

Ending the Occupation

The World Council of Churches has brought out a video entitled ‘Ending Occupation: Voices for a Just Peace’. This video is an invitation to all WCC member churches and ecumenical partners, including Pax Christi International, to join the ecumenical campaign “End the illegal occupation of Palestine: Support a just peace in the Middle East,” launched by the WCC Central Committee in September 2002

The Palestinian- Israeli conflict is one of the most sensitive, emotive and tragic conflicts shaking the world today. As structural as well as physical violence continues to grow, more concerted action is needed among people of faith for justice and true peace in the region. In this video, local Christian and other religious leaders, and Palestinian and Israeli human rights activist outline the root causes of violence in the region and the opportunities for a just peace.

Copies of this video can be obtained from the World Council of Churches, International Affairs, P.O.Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland or email

africa

Pax Christi International Co-sponsors Conference on Europe – Africa Relations

March 25, Pax Christi International, along with CIDSE and Caritas Europa, organised a round table conference on Euro-Africa relations at the European Parliament in Brussels. CIDSE is a coalition of 15 Catholic development organisations in Europe and North America. Caritas Europa, with 48 European member organisations, is part of the global Caritas Internationalis Federation of development and humanitarian aid agencies.

The three organisations had earlier collaborated on a position paper written in preparation for the second summit of European Union (EU) and African heads of state initially scheduled to take place last month in Lisbon but recently postponed with no clear date advanced for a future meeting.

The position paper, entitled “From Cairo to Lisbon: The EU and Africa Working Together for a New Partnership,” raises important questions regarding Africa’s development and sets forth key recommendations for future action. (Cairo was where the first such summit was held in 2000). Recommendations are presented for the areas of peace and conflict, refugees and migration, the fight against HIV/AIDS, just trade policy, finance strategies (including more comprehensive debt relief) and good governance. The full text of this paper is available here or from the International Secretariat (Ref. AF01E03).

The March conference noted several worrisome trends in European-African relations at this time. While the EU has been preoccupied with the economic affects of its eastward expansion, the European development policy appears to some conference participants to be heading in unfavourable directions. Talk of poverty eradication, though in itself a vital undertaking seems to presently overshadow former priorities of development itself. Also, trade and economic partnerships are sometimes advanced with little consideration for bringing the benefits of these policies to everyone.

Pax Christi international secretary Etienne De Jonghe presented the organisation’s perspective in the key area of peace and conflict. Conflict, he said, is often linked to other problems like poverty, the unequal distribution of wealth and the disregard of basic human rights. There is a need to develop a culture of peace that provides a context out of which these concerns can be adequately addressed, said De Jonghe. We also need to give focus to the economic dimensions of conflict, he added, including a legally binding framework to ensure that companies that do business in Africa adhere to clear standards of conduct.

Other perspectives were offered on migration policy, the impact of HIV on the continent, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the UN Millennium Development Goals. Overall, the “From Cairo to Lisbon” paper, along with the three organisations that prepared it, call for a return to basic values to guide EU policy for development and humanitarian assistance to Africa. Catholic social teaching requires a careful look at how the poorest and most vulnerable members of society are impacted by any decisions or partnerships that are made. This preferential option for the poor frequently stands in contrast to current practices where “the development of the capacity of the poor to satisfy their needs and to develop fully as human beings is inhibited by structures controlled by the rich.” The right to development, recognised by the UN since 1986 as a fundamental human right, remains an important standard for the organisations’ outlook on the future of European-African relations.