Catholic Bishops weigh in on Iraq policy

[TayTay]

US Bishops Urge “Serious Civil Dialogue” On Iraq
Monday, 16 January 2006, 11:34 am
Press Release: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Catholic Bishops Call for “Responsible Transition” in Iraq; Urge “Serious Civil Dialogue”
WASHINGTON (January 12, 2006)—Calling for a national civil dialogue that will lead to a responsible transition in Iraq, the Chairman of the Committee on International Policy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said such a dialogue can help our nation chart a course of action that meets both the “moral and human dimensions of the situation in Iraq.”

“Our nation cannot afford a shrill and shallow debate that distorts reality and reduces the options to ‘cut and run’ versus ‘stay the course,’” said Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando. “Instead we need a forthright discussion that begins with an honest assessment of the situation in Iraq and acknowledges both the mistakes that have been made and the signs of hope that have appeared. Most importantly, an honest assessment of our moral responsibilities toward Iraq should commit our nation to a policy of responsible transition….Our nation’s military forces should remain in Iraq only as long as it takes for a responsible transition, leaving sooner rather than later.”

Bishop Wenski’s statement, “Toward a Responsible Transition in Iraq,” was made public January 12.

“The central moral question is not just the timing of U.S. withdrawal, but rather the nature and extent of U.S. and international engagement that allows for a responsible transition to security and stability for the Iraqi people,” Bishop Wenski stated.

“Our nation is at a crossroads in Iraq,” Bishop Wenski said. “We must avoid two directions that distort reality and limit appropriate responses. We must resist a pessimism that might move our nation to abandon the moral responsibilities it accepted in using force and might tempt us to withdraw prematurely from Iraq without regard for moral and human consequences. We must reject an optimism that fails to acknowledge clearly past mistakes, failed intelligence, and inadequate planning related to Iraq, and minimizes the serious challenges and human costs that lie ahead.”

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00153.htm

Ah, excuse me, but who does that sound like. I mean really, chapter and verse, who does that sound like?

[sandnsea]

1. Yeah

And I can't help but feel like finding the nearest priest and kicking him right in the shins. Because the great sharade of denying a Catholic communion was more important than having a sane leader of the free world. :grr:

[ProSense]

2. Yeah, yeah!

"We must avoid two directions that distort reality and limit appropriate responses."

(The country must hold Bush accountable for lying.)


"We must resist a pessimism that might move our nation to abandon the moral responsibilities it accepted in using force and might tempt us to withdraw prematurely from Iraq without regard for moral and human consequences."

(Never too late to save lives, but a lot of lives could have been saved if this was considered before and at any time since the start of the war.)


"We must reject an optimism that fails to acknowledge clearly past mistakes, failed intelligence, and inadequate planning related to Iraq, and minimizes the serious challenges and human costs that lie ahead.”

(This lecture was much needed last summer.)