A Call for Nonviolence

We, the Congregations of Women Religious of this area, are deeply saddened
that our country has made a preemptive strike against the people of Iraq.

We grieve the senseless loss of life of Iraqi citizens and of our own men and women
in military service. We pray for all those who have been drawn into this war voluntarily
or involuntarily, whether military or civilian.

We lament that our country has ignored the pleas of our world neighbors
• To let the UN inspections work
• To find a diplomatic solution to this conflict
• To exercise the restraint appropriate to a great nation.

We believe that this act of aggression violates our national soul and betrays
our cherished foundational values.

We share the recent sentiments expressed by Pope John Paul II:
When war, as in these days in Iraq, threatens the fate of humanity, it is ever more
urgent to proclaim, with a strong and decisive voice, that only peace is the road to
follow to construct a more just and united society.

We beg our leaders to pursue a coordinated, nonviolent international response
to the crisis at hand.

Sister Monique Belanger, OP • Provincial, Dominican Sisters of the Roman Congregation, Iowa City
Sister Bernadine Curoe, SVM • President, Sisters of the Visitation, Dubuque
Sister Jude Fitzpatrick, CHM • President, Sisters of Humility, Davenport
Sister Toni Harris, OP • Prioress, Dominican Sisters, Sinsinawa
Sister Dorothy Heiderscheit, OSF • President, Franciscan Sisters, Dubuque
Sister Marilyn Huegerich, OSF • President, Franciscan Sisters, Clinton
Sister Ruth Ksycki, OSB • Prioress, Benedictine Sisters, Rock Island
Sister Mary Jo Loebig, OCD • Prioress, Carmelite Nuns, Eldridge
Sister Joellen McCarthy, BVM • President, Sisters of Charity, BVM, Dubuque
Sister Susan O’Connor, RSM • President, Sisters of Mercy, Cedar Rapids
Sister Joy Peterson, PBVM • President, Sisters of the Presentation, Dubuque
Sister Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA • President, Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, LaCrosse

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