October 4, 2002
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Many of you have asked about the Church's teachings regarding the current conflict with Iraq. Today as Catholics in America, we face a moral challenge. Our government is seriously pursuing military action against Iraq to prevent the threat of further terrorism and yet, the teachings of our Church uphold the values of peace and the dignity of the human person. War can only be justified as a last resort.

Pope Paul VI stated: "if you want peace, you must work for justice." The conditions that created the circumstances in Iraq and the Middle East are not new. Terrorism, tragically, is nothing new. We need to consider the root causes of terrorism: poverty, racism, inequality, hatred, violence, and hopelessness are the seeds of despair that nurture terrorism. As Pope John Paul II stated on September 7, 2002: "history in fact shows that the recruitment of terrorists is more easily achieved in areas where human rights are trampled upon and where injustice is a part of daily life."

On September 13, 2002, Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) wrote President Bush: "we conclude, based on the facts that are known to us, that a pre-emptive, unilateral use of force is difficult to justify at this time." The letter refers to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and raises several issues including: "whether 'just cause' has been established, whether the United States has the authority to engage in unilateral action; whether a war in Iraq would produce evils and disorders greater than the evil to be eliminated; and whether an attack would have the possibility of establishing a more just society in Iraq?" This posture is supported by officials of the Holy See and by the Pope himself, who have expressed reservations about military action by the United States against Iraq at this time.

Bishop Gregory further stated in his letter: "the United States and the international community have two grave moral obligations: to protect the common good against any Iraqi threats to peace and to do so in a way that conforms with fundamental moral norms."

As Catholics, we are guided by our church's social teaching. As the Bishops of our country teach: "In the Catholic social vision, the human person is central, the clearest reflection of God among us. Each person possesses a basic dignity that comes from God, not from any human quality or accomplishment, not from race, or gender, age or economic status. The test of every institution or policy is whether it enhances or threatens human life and human dignity. We believe people are more important than things." (A Century of Social Teaching, the United States Catholic Bishops, November 1990)

Our struggle with terrorism is not only political but also spiritual. Therefore, we encourage you to become more informed about the Church's teaching in forming your own conscience, and to contact your senators and congressional representatives to express your concerns. As a sign of solidarity with others around the world who seek peace, we urge you to consider the power of prayer: praying the rosary, lighting candles, engaging in acts of fasting, and joining in prayer services with other people of faith and good will. Such acts are especially appropriate during October, "Respect Life" month.

These are challenging times for people of faith. Let us demonstrate the depth of our Christian faith through the courageous pursuit of justice and peace.

Faithfully in Christ,


Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of Milwaukee


Most Reverend Richard J. Sklba, Auxiliary Bishop of Milwaukee

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Community Services Department has prepared the following resources for the community to utilize when preparing bulletin announcements, prayers of the faithful, pulpit announcements, lesson plans, prayer services and other informed dialogue:

The Church's Teaching on War and Peace

Message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II for the Celebration of the World Day of Peace, January 1, 2002

Letter to President Bush from Bishop Wilton Gregory, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Rev. Bryan Massingale's September 26, 2002, Catholic Herald column

Background Information on Iraq

Suggestions for Action

Fasting and Prayer
Fasting has an important place in all the great religions. The Old Testament lists fasting among the cornerstones of the spirituality of Israel: "Prayer is good when accompanied by fasting, almsgiving and justice" (Tob 12:8). Fasting implies an attitude of faith, humility and complete dependence on God. Fasting is used to prepare to meet God (cf. Ex 34:28; 1Kgs 19:8; Dan 9:3); to prepare for a difficult task (cf. Jgs 20:26; Es 4:16) or to seek pardon for an offense (cf. 1 Kgs 21:27); to express grief in the wake of domestic or national misfortune (cf. 1 Sam 7:6; 2 Sam 1:12; Bar 1:5). Fasting, inseparable from prayer and justice, is directed above all to conversion of heart, without which - as the Prophets declared (cf. Is 58:2-11; Jer 14:12; Zech 7:5-14) - it is meaningless.

Before beginning his public mission, Jesus, driven by the Holy Spirit, fasted for forty days as an expression of his trusting abandonment to the Father's saving plan (cf. Mt 4:1-4). He gave precise instructions to his disciples that their fasting should never be tainted by ostentation and hypocrisy (cf. Mt 6:16-18).

Following the biblical tradition, the Fathers held fasting in high esteem. In their view, the practice of fasting made the faithful ready for nourishment of another kind: the food of the Word of God (cf. Mt 4:4) and of fulfillment of the Father's will (cf. Jn 4:34). Fasting is closely connected to prayer, it strengthens virtue, inspires mercy, implores divine assistance, and leads to conversion of heart.

The practice of fasting looks to the past, present and future: to the past, as a recognition of offenses committed against God and others; to the present, in order that we may learn to open our eyes to others and to the world around us; to the future, in order that we may open our hearts to the realities of God and, by the gift of divine mercy, renew the bond of communion with all people and with the whole of creation, accepting the responsibility which each of us has in history.

In the Hebrew Scriptures conversion means above all returning with all one's heart to the Lord and walking once more in his paths. Prayer is the central moment in which to listen to God and fill the "void" created in us by the purification of fasting and the silence of pilgrimage. The heart of each one of us in fact must be the starting point for the building of peace: it is through the heart that God acts and judges, heals and saves. We must not forget: there can be no possibility of peace without prayer, in which we learn that "peace goes far beyond human efforts, especially in the present plight of the world, and therefore its source and realization is to be sought in that Reality which is beyond all of is."

USCCB Action Alert - The Use of Force Against Iraq

Wisconsin's Congressional members

Pax Christi USA Iraq Peace Pledge/Iraq Pledge of Resistance

For more information and other suggestions on how you can become involved, contact the archdiocesan Community Services Department at 414-769-3425.