About Catholics For Peace - Toronto
Catholics for PEACE is a small but growing group of concerned Catholics who are trying to make the statement that a non-violent approach to living and dealing with the world’s problems is the only solution that will work in the long term.
We are opposed to the use of military force as a means of enforcing our will upon others, no matter how well meant, or even as a means of protecting our own physical and commercial assets. As Christians, we are committed to the “terms” that the Lord has imposed on the nations …
They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again. (Isaiah 2: 4)
Published Letter to the Editor
Sent by: Steve B
See the original entry in the Toronto Star website here.
Another copy of this letter is published (without the author's knowledge) on the website of the Nationalist Party of Canada.
Text of the Letter which appears in the Toronto Star, December 21st, Page A29
With non-violence, peace has a chance Re It's a battle for minds, Canadian officer says - Dec. 19.
I read with interest how the Canadian Forces are planning to explode tonnes of munitions in Afghanistan to try to break the spirit of the Taliban resistance. When someone from the Middle East blows up a bomb in order to scare someone into thinking their way, we call it "terrorism;' but when our forces blowup bombs to scare someone into thinking our way, we call it strategy. Bring home our troops and stop the fighting now while Canada still has some shred of an international reputation left. Then we can go back to talking with our enemies and helping the ones who need it in Afghanistan without in weapons in our hands.
Peace comes with a price and often sacrifices must be made, but history has shown that the sacrifices on the field of battle never last. When non-violence becomes the chosen way of dealing with others, then finally peace might have a chance.
Stephen B, Catholics for PEACE, Mississauga
Sample Letters to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
The impending execution of Sadaam Hussein flows from the heat of revenge, not the light of justice.
The violence of a dictator has to be halted by means of peaceful restitution. Capital punishment would only represent continued state-authorized violence.
Canada, unlike the U.S.A., can speak with moral authority against the death penalty. If Sadaam Hussein is executed, it will destabilize the situation for the people in Iraq and in Afghanistan further and in fact imperil the lives of many.
We urge Canada to immediately press for life imprisonment, rather than the death penalty.
Catholics for PEACE - Martha C
To the editor of:
Dear sir / madam,
Pope John II in his message in 2004 said: "Peace is possible and if peace is possible it is a duty." The role of our soldiers in Afghanistan has changed from being peace makers to being combat soldiers. Our soldiers were welcomed and now have become targets of death.
We are in the 5th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan and it seems there is no end to war and no peace in sight. Our soldiers went to Afghanistan with the best of intentions, to promote peace. Our nation was under the impression that the purpose of this war was to root out terrorism. Terrorism seems to be flourishing and as a result, our soldiers have become targets and victims. We have lost 39 brave soldiers since 2001. A poll conducted nation wide suggested 62% of Canadians opposes the engagement of our children in this war. I am very critical of our present role in Afghanistan. I want our brave men to promote peace and love.
I am fully dedicated to a new solution to conflict in the world. War is not the solution. Please bring our men home, and let us return to our role as a peace keeping nation. Canada must play a leadership role in the world to promote peace not war.
Fuad NB - Member of Catholics for Peace.
DRAFT LETTER TO THE EDITOR OCTOBER 5, 2006-10-05
Dear Sir,
XX has been our latest Canadian victim of violence in Afghanistan. This is indeed sad news, particularly for his family and friends but also for us.
Canadian peacekeeping in Afghanistan has turned into a war with very uncertain purpose and strategy but increasingly violent. Violence and killing will never be the solution in Afghanistan or anywhere else because violence breeds violence, as it can be easily learned from the last 50 years of Afghanistan’s history.
We urge decision makers to accept the complexity of this situation, cease all hostilities and bring our Canadian troops home without delay.
Yours sincerely,
Bert C - CATHOLICS FOR PEACE
To the Editor of the Catholic Register
I was interested to read about "Red Fridays" and the attempt to garner support for our troops who are in the line of fire in Afghanistan. As a member of the Catholics for Peace organization, I would like to join others in praying for all the women and men who have decided risk their lives for the greater good.
It is time, however, to show our support for them as people, not as troops. To use the term "troops" includes support for the military and for violence as a solution to conflict. As followers of Christ, our support for these brave individuals should stop at supporting war. It is time bring them home, stop the fighting and re-commit our efforts in Afghanistan to working for peace as neutral un-armed ambassadors of peace.
In a complex conflict that is rapidly deteriorating, it is time to put down our weapons and get back to talking to the Afghanis to determine how we can support our troops and the people of Afghanistan at the same time.
Steve B - Catholics for Peace
Letter to the Editor
One more of our soldiers has just lost his life. How many more to come? When will be the end?
To support our troops is to keep them safe. The position of Catholics for Peace with respect to Canadian military involvement is to ask for the immediate cessation of all hostile military activity by Canadian troops and to arrange for the withdrawal of all armed personnel representing Canada from Afghanistan as soon as it can be safely arranged for those involved.
Catholics for Peace does not advocate abandoning the Afghan people, but rather supporting them financially and with unarmed personnel in the challenges they face, developing their nation and overcoming poverty. We support them with love, not helping them in war. Violence is never the answer to promote peace.
Val D - Catholics for Peace