Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) — Echoing the appeal of Pope Francis and Catholic prelates in Syria, two leaders of the U.S. bishops’ conference urged President Barack Obama to seek a political solution in Syria.
“We have heard the urgent calls of the successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis, and our suffering brother bishops of the venerable and ancient Christian communities of the Middle East. As one, they beg the international community not to resort to military intervention in Syria,” said Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Bishop Richard E. Pates chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace in a letter released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Sept. 4.
The letter affirmed the bishops’ prayers for the administration and acknowledged that “that the situation in Syria is complex,” and said they “appreciate the patience and restraint that your Administration has exercised to date.”
Cardinal Dolan of New York and Bishop Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, affirmed Obama’s decision to invite public dialogue and congressional review of possible military action, saying they wanted to contribute to that discussion in their capacity as pastors and teachers.
“We join you in your absolute condemnation of the use of chemical weapons in Syria,” they said. “These indiscriminate weapons have no place in the arsenals of the family of nations. With you we mourn for the lives lost and grieve with the families of the deceased.”
The clerics said they remain concerned for the more than 100,000 Syrians who have died and the 6 million who remain refugees or are displaced within their country.
However, they said, both the pope and the Syrian Catholic bishops have made clear “that a military attack will be counterproductive, will exacerbate an already deadly situation and will have unintended negative consequences.”
They concluded by noting that the long-standing position of the USCCB is that Syria needs a political solution.
“We ask the United States to work urgently and tirelessly with other governments to obtain a cease-fire, initiate serious negotiations, provide impartial humanitarian assistance, and encourage efforts to build an inclusive society in Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens, including Christians and other minorities.”
PHOTO: Free Syrian Army fighters chat as they stand near a damaged building in Aleppo Sept. 3. Two leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged U.S. Catholics to take up Pope Francis’ call to fast and pray for peace in Syria, the Middle East and the world Sept. 7. (CNS photo/Hamid Khatib, Reuters)