A Call by the Bishops of Japan for a Peaceful Solution to the
Problem of Iraq
As we bishops have gathered for our 2002-3 fiscal year extraordinary
plenary session, international society is confronted with the awful
choice of how the Iraq problem will be solved: by peace or by war?
Simultaneously, everywhere in the world popular demonstrations opposing
war as a solution are being held. We, the Catholic Bishops' Conference
of Japan, wish to proclaim here, in the light of Christian faith
and teaching, thoughts about the grave choice confronting international
society.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus Christ not only reiterated the
command of Exodus, "You shall not kill" (20:13), but went
on to forbid anger, hate, revenge, etc. He even went so far as to
urge his disciples to love their enemies (Mt. 5:21 ff).
Forty years ago Pope John XXIII proclaimed his encyclical
Pacem in terris (Peace on Earth). Let us recall his words:
Men nowadays are becoming more and more convinced that any disputes
which may arise between nations must be resolved by negotiation
and agreement, and not by recourse to arms... In this age...of atomic
power, it no longer makes sense to maintain that war is a fit instrument
with which to repair the violation of justice.
In his "Message of Peace" both last year and this year,
Pope John Paul II recalled these same principles when he stated
that the way to achieve reconciliation is not through conflict while
at the same time he called for a deeper spirit of forgiveness. Religious
persons throughout the world stress this need for peace and mercy.
We, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan, openly declare that
our fundamental position is opposition to all war. At present it
is alleged that military means are justified as a legitimate self-defense
to cope with Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Even if the United
Nations should declare such a war to be legitimate self-defense,
we oppose such a war. (Cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church
#2309.)
We are opposed to the use of military power against Iraq. Though
it will require great courage and solidarity, we appeal to international
society to use all possible peaceful means to solve this problem.
If war is not avoided and Iraq is attacked, many precious lives,
including many civilians, will be lost. Moreover, we can easily
foresee that the people of Iraq who are already suffering much will
suffer even more because of regional strife, armed clashes and economic
sanctions. Furthermore, this attack will not only destabilize Iraq
but also the entire Middle and Near East. We have no doubt that
an attack will not solve any problems; rather, it will create a
whole set of new problems.
In addition, we call upon the government of Iraq to abolish weapons
of mass-destruction, to cease development of such weapons and to
immediately and clearly prove to the world that it has done so.
Moreover, we strongly urge other states to do what we have asked
Iraq to do, to completely destroy any and all nuclear and other
weapons of mass-destruction they have in their possession.
Our world is facing crucial choices about war and peace, justice
and security. Hatred breeds hatred, violence provokes violence;
no peace is possible when violence is answered with violence. Precisely
now is the time for the world to "break down the barriers of
hostility that keep men apart" (Ephesians 2:14). We must grope
for a policy of non-violence that will avoid the danger of war and
seek peaceful solutions through a diplomacy of dialog and cooperation.
And, should not Japan, which by its Constitution cherishes the
idea of peace, have the courage to energetically promote pathways
of peace for international society?
International tensions come with globalization and it is the general
public that suffers from these rifts. Those victimized are our fellow
human beings. We believe that our first obligation is to promote
solidarity and activities that will help these victims recover their
human dignity. We earnestly desire that the time, capital and human
efforts which are universally spent for war be used to erase the
worldwide poverty that is the deep-rooted cause of and all-pervading
atmosphere enveloping international disputes.
We, the bishops of Japan, offer the above thoughts to all members
of the Church in Japan as well as to the people of Japan and all
other peoples throughout the world.
Now is the time for us as Christians following the spirit of the
Gospel, united with others of good will, to positively promote peace
and justice.
Finally, let us pray for world leaders:
God of peace, your people face the threat of war in Iraq. Grant
that world leaders, who must make just and responsible decisions
regarding peaceful co-existence in international society, may quickly,
and without recourse to arms, find a peaceful solution to this crisis.
February 21, 2003
Catholic Bishops' Conference of Japan
|
