We the Franciscan friars of Holy Name Province, in harmony with the words of John Paul II that “war is always a defeat for humanity,” express our deepening distress and anger over the conflict in Iraq.  Our Franciscan religious commitment connects us to all those who suffer.  The mounting deaths and casualties of U.S. and coalition service men and women, Iraqis, and U.S. and international civilians in Iraq fill us with anguish.

As Franciscans, we are called to be instruments of dialogue and reconciliation.  These peacemaking sensibilities impel us to cry out full-throatedly for a dramatic change in the direction of U.S. and Coalition engagement in Iraq. There is no clear positive end that would result from the current policy.

 Therefore, we call upon President Bush and his Administration to:

• Publicly state a clear and measurable plan for the timely, responsible and sustainable withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Iraq.
• Assume a clearly articulated U.S. foreign policy that abandons the pre-emptive use of force by pursuing a path of active diplomatic engagement and the use of non-violent humane means of intervention with international partners.
• Uphold our stated national commitment to assist the Iraqi people in the long-term project of rebuilding their nation.

We commit ourselves:

• To support and dialogue with those who are seeking policy options in Iraq beyond the use of force and, invite all to consider the human cost of war.
• To pray for and pastorally support the service men and women in harm’s way and their families remaining at home.  To pray for the people of Iraq.  To pray for our U.S. government officials that they might have the insight and wisdom to pursue non-violent policies that will lead to true and lasting peace.

We hope in anticipation that peace may prevail in Iraq.