Pax Christi Calls for an End to Sanctions Responsible for Killing 4,500 Children Each Month

Source : Pax Christi USA, www.nonviolence.org/pcusa

Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement, unequivocally denounces the threatened U.S. bombing campaign against Iraq as an irresponsible disregard for human life and a blatant rejection of moral, ethical and religious principles. U.S. officials have acknowledged that the planned bombing campaign will involve very heavy civilian casualties. As Christians, we interpret these intended actions, which grossly violate the norms of civilized behavior and the rules of international law, as nothing less than a premeditated crime against humanity.

"Any act of war aimed indiscriminately at the destruction of entire cities or of extensive areas along with their population is a crime against God and humanity. It merits unequivocal and unhesitating condemnation."
         Vatican II, Pastoral Constitution, #80

We are appalled by the threats of "devastating and decisive" military action that include a U.S. willingness to use nuclear weapons against Iraq's alleged chemical and biological weapons programs. Reports that the newest U.S. nuclear bomb, the B-61 "Bunker Buster," would be useful for incinerating biological agents in Iraq must be rejected outright. Any use of nuclear weapons would violate international law, destroy efforts at international nuclear nonproliferation, and unleash the deadly effects of nuclear fallout.

"The US should commit itself never to use nuclear weapons first, should unequivocally reject proposals to use nuclear weapons to deter any non-nuclear threats...Indeed, we abhor any use of nuclear weapons."
         The Harvest of Justice is Sown in Peace, National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1993

Pax Christi USA calls upon all U.S. policymakers, representatives and government officials to turn away from their threats to bomb the people of Iraq. We support diplomatic efforts at a negotiated settlement of the current impasse which embraces enlightened and compassionate principles of justice and humanity. Pax Christi USA opposes the development and possession of all weapons of mass destruction by all nations, including Iraq and the United States. A posture that threatens the use of weapons of mass destruction as a punishment for the crime of developing weapons of mass destruction is hypocritical and dangerous to the extreme.

"The weak and the innocent cannot pay for mistakes for which they are not responsible."
         Pope John Paul II's Address to Vatican Diplomatic Corps, January, 1998

As we prepare for a new round of bombings, we cry out in anguish over seven years of United Nations sanctions against the Iraqi people which can only be understood as biological warfare against a civilian population. During the Gulf War, U.S. led Coalition forces deliberately targeted Iraq's infrastructure, destroying its ability to provide food, water and sanitation to its civilian population and unleashing disease and starvation on an unimaginable scale. United Nations reports claim that over one million civilians have died as a direct result of the sanctions. UNICEF reports that 4,500 children are dying each month. As people of faith, we are ashamed that the actions of the U.N., whose mission is to foster peace, can be so deliberately directed toward the sustained slaughter of innocent civilians. We join with the 54 U.S. Catholic bishops in denouncing the sanctions and call on the U.S. to use its power on the U.N. Security Council to end this heinous policy.

Pax Christi USA remains steadfast in its mission to "oppose war, preparations for war and every form of violence and domination." We remind all Christians that we are called to follow the nonviolent example of Jesus, who reached out to the victims of oppression and military prowess. We are compelled to place our faith not in gods of metal but in the God of justice, mercy and peace. We invite all people of goodwill to join with us.

Pax Christi USA is a section of Pax Christi International, the Catholic movement for peace.