In a new letter published today, more than 200 Catholic leaders and 130 Catholic organizations and congregations from across the United States have expressed their anguish over the ongoing violence in Israel-Palestine. The letters’ signers include Cardinal Robert McElroy, bishop of San Diego; Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe; theologian Sr. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, Fordham University; Br. Lawrence Hayes, Provincial Minister, Franciscan Friars; hundreds of women religious and ordained clergy; and many notable Catholic academics, activists, and lay leaders. “As U.S. Catholics,” the letter states, “we recognize our country’s contribution to the present violence and to the ongoing systemic injustices in Israel-Palestine. We call on President Biden, a fellow Catholic, and other U.S. and international leaders to do everything possible to ensure a permanent end to hostilities, including halting additional shipments of U.S.–funded offensive weapons to Israel, a return of all hostages and the immediate distribution of robust humanitarian aid to Gaza.” The signatories write to express their “grief and dismay over the horrors that have occurred in Israel-Palestine over the last six months” and to “bear witness to and speak out against the decades of injustice that have plagued the Holy Land.” They assert that “the inherent dignity of all persons and their right to life is the basis of our concern for all Palestinian and Israeli lives and our hope for a solution in which systemic injustices are addressed and the rights of both peoples granted and upheld.” The letter was co-sponsored by the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), Pax Christi USA, Franciscan Action Network, and the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, each of which has long-standing connections with Christian organizations in Israel-Palestine. Dozens of other Catholic groups and congregations have endorsed the letter as well. Going beyond the current crisis, the letter speaks to the longer-term injustices in the Holy Land, including Israel's military occupation and illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the blockade imposed on Gaza. The letter notes that many of the signers have seen these realities firsthand and express their prayer that "a political solution can be achieved which ensures justice, equality, peace, security, and freedom for two peoples.” The signers also lament that U.S. Catholics have often overlooked the situation in the Holy Land, specifically the plight of Palestinian Christians. At the same time, they affirm their concern for “Jews, Muslims, and others who suffer in Israel-Palestine.” The signers also commit themselves to “opposing antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab discrimination,” acknowledging that “Christians have often failed in this regard.” This letter follows several other public statements from Catholics calling for a ceasefire, including Pope Francis, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Society of Jesus, Franciscan friars and sisters, and individual bishops and other Catholic leaders. Pope Francis has consistently spoken out against the violence taking place, most recently during his weekly public audience on April 24, when he repeated that "war is always a defeat" and highlighted that those who profit from these tragedies are arms manufacturers. On May 3, the letter will be read aloud at a Christian prayer vigil outside the White House and then will be open for signatures by Catholics in the general public; signatures will be received until May 19, the feast of Pentecost, considered to be the founding of the Christian church. QUOTES FROM CATHOLIC LEADERS: “U.S. Catholics have often been too quiet on the situation in Israel-Palestine. In the letter, we seek to raise the collective voice of U.S. Catholics to express our solidarity with all those suffering in Israel-Palestine; acknowledge the systemic issues and call for an end to violence, and show our support to friends of other faith traditions.” Jordan Denari Duffner and Julie Schumacher Cohen, the letter’s co-authors, and members of the Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East Peace (CAC) “As Franciscans, our hearts are always with our suffering sisters and brothers, and our duty is to be peacemakers even in the most difficult situations. As St. Francis in his time did all he could to persuade leaders to stop the Crusades, we now call on our leaders to stop fueling the war in Gaza and instead focus on urgent humanitarian relief, the release of hostages, and diplomacy for an enduring, just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.” Michele Dunne OFS, Franciscan Action Network “The indiscriminate bombing of Gaza has gone on for far too long. Too many innocent people have been killed while hostages remain captive, and growing numbers of people in Gaza face famine. As Catholics and followers of Jesus, we believe justice and love are the foundations of peace. We ask President Biden to stop sending offensive weapons to Israel and start working toward building a restorative justice process in the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and restart funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. Together, these actions of justice and love can be the seeds needed for a sustainable peace and an end to this horrific conflict.” Susan Gunn, Director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns “For years, Pax Christi has condemned the U.S. government’s complicity in the Israel-Palestine conflict, its tacit support of the ongoing occupation by frustrating efforts to apply international law, and the unchecked military aid provided to Israel. Our faith requires us to speak out against weapons that will only lead to greater bloodshed and to demand action on behalf of a ceasefire and the painstaking work to create a just peace rooted in equality, human rights, and dignity for all.” Johnny Zokovitch, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA —- The full letter and list of signers can be viewed here. Updates with additional signatures are available here. | 
