Story summary:
The Catholic Worker Movement in the United States has called on the country's bishops to denounce the American-led war on terror while urging the Church and American citizens to repent for "our affronts to God" fed by violence and materialism. Meeting at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Ann Parish in Massachusetts to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the movement, a national gathering of 500 Catholic Workers issued a broad statement that encouraged the Church and "all people of good will" to embrace prayer, fasting, vigils and non-violent civil disobedience to end military occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Catholic Worker Movement in the United States has called on the country's bishops to denounce the American-led war on terror while urging the Church and American citizens to repent for "our affronts to God" fed by violence and materialism.
Meeting at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Ann Parish in Massachusetts to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the movement, a national gathering of 500 Catholic Workers issued a broad statement that encouraged the Church and "all people of good will" to embrace prayer, fasting, vigils and non-violent civil disobedience to end military occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The statement also pressed the Church's leadership "to break its silence and to wield the authority provided by the non-violent Gospel of Jesus Christ, by calling the entire nation to repent for the war crimes we have committed in the so-called war on terror."
Representing 55 communities, the Catholic Workers said a strong denouncement of the nation's war efforts by the bishops would send a clear message to congressional leaders and the White House.
Catholic Worker Frank Cordaro said American bishops had not been forceful enough in opposing the war.
"What we hope to do is to put some light into some dark times with the church of the US completely abdicating its responsibility to the nationalistic, militaristic spirit that has captured the soul of this country," said Mr Cordaro, who founded the Phil Berrigan Catholic Worker House in Des Moines, Iowa, 32 years ago.
Stephen Colecchi, director of the Office of International Justice and Peace of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the bishops had for several years urged an end to the war and called for a responsible transition to a stable government in Iraq.
Specifically citing several statements and letters since 2006 from Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Washington, former USCCB president, and Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, Florida, chairman of the bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace, Mr Colecchi said the bishops had supported an end to the war as soon as possible. He said the bishops have supported bipartisan efforts in Congress to end the war.