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Build peace, avoid war - Catholic Bishops
urge
29th November 2002
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Gathered
for our Plenary Meeting, we, the Australian Catholic Bishops urge
calm within the Australian community in responding to terrorism
and stress the need for all to pray and work for peace at a time
of great tension in the world.
As Christmas approaches and we prepare to celebrate
the coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace, we call on Australians
to work and pray for justice and peace in a world facing the prospect
of yet another war in the Middle East.
The Bali bombing has shocked all Australians.
The nation has struggled to come to terms with the kind of tragedy
we have seen in other parts of the world, but never known so close
to home.
The threat of terrorism is weighing on the minds
and hearts of all people. The events in Bali, a year after the
September 11 attacks in the USA, have deepened concern about national
security and prompted new consideration of Australia's role in
the 'war on terror'.
The international community has increasingly focused
on the possibility that the Iraqi leadership is amassing weapons
of mass destruction, implying the threat of an imminent attack.
With other Church leaders around the world, the Catholic Bishops
of Australia urge great restraint at this most delicate point
and welcome the role of the United Nations Security Council in
ensuring that Iraq meets its obligation to disarm. It is vital
for the international community to recognise that the United Nations
is the legitimate authority in the administration of Resolution
1441. We urge the Iraqi Government to comply with the Resolution
and we pray that this process will be seen by all parties as offering
a real alternative to war and a sign of hope for the future.
We call especially on those in our nation who
exercise political authority and diplomatic influence to do all
in their power to build peace and avoid war.
The Australian Bishops also stress the importance
of solidarity with the people of Iraq. Recurrent war and the resulting
humanitarian crises have already inflicted grave suffering upon
the population, and any further conflict would be a human catastrophe,
with the weakest inevitably suffering the most.
We pray that the entire human family will embrace
what Pope John Paul II has insisted, that there is "no peace
without justice, no justice without forgiveness", and that
this Christmas time will see all people of good will renew their
commitment to build a world of justice, truth and love, where
fear and violence are no more.
Contact: Bishop William Morris on (07) 46324277
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