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Prayer in Time of Terrorism

O God, I do not know where to turn in a time of terrorism. I have no easy answers or solutions to acts of terror against the innocent. When buildings explode without warning, when the defenseless are murdered without reason, I am tempted to retaliate with vengeance. I am tempted to place the flag above the cross and put my faith in the state rather than the Sermon on the Mount. I am afraid to face my deepest fears of suffering and death, both for myself and those I love.

O God, be merciful to me a sinner and understand my weakness, my lack of trust. I lift my heart to a God of forgiveness, of compassion, of peace. I believe that You are not present in any act of violence. I believe that every human being is a child of God and that all nations and religions are embraced by You. I believe that violence ignites greater violence and that in the long line of history our only lasting legacy is love.

I recommit myself to nonviolence as a witness of Your love. I will cast out fear and boldly live love for neighbor and enemy. I will cast out fear and renounce hatred, desire for revenge and works of war. I will cast out fear and publicly proclaim that You are a God of unlimited and unconditional love.

I recommit myself to nonviolence as a witness of Your love. I will embrace the suffering of others and wipe away every tear from their eyes. I will devote my days to works of mercy and justice, not to deeds of death and destruction. I will give my passion to kindness and beauty and imagination. I commit to hope and the children of tomorrow. Amen.

By Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB		  

Save this Date!



2002 Social Action
Summer Institute

It Will Be Here
Before you know it.

When:
July 21-26, 2002

Where:
University of
San Francisco
The Prayer in Time of Terrorism is reproduced with permission from Pax Christi USA. To order the card or find more resources contact Pax Christi USA at 532 West Eighth Street, Erie PA 16502 814/453-4955 or
info@paxchristiusa.org , www.paxchristiusa.org
Conference Table

News From the Chair George B. Horton

As the Chair of the Roundtable Board, I was invited to be an observer at the General Meeting of the U.S. Bishops which was held in Washington, Nov. 12- 15. The Bishops addressed a wide variety of issues ranging from administrative matters, such as approval of Department budgets and plans, to discussions of significant liturgical questions. There were a number of “ firsts” including the use of electronic voting methods (which caused a fair degree of consternation at least in the beginning) and, of course, the unanimous election of the first African American Conference President, Bishop Wilton Gregory.

Of particular interest to social action directors, were the adoption of the statement, “A Call to Solidarity with Africa” and approval of “A Pastoral Message: Living With Faith And Hope After September 11”. Both documents were drafted by the Bishops’ International Policy Committee and presented by Cardinal Law to the full body of Bishops. The Chair of the Roundtable is an observer to this Committee and in the past few months I participated in meetings where both documents were discussed.

The Statement on Africa passed without much change. However the “Pastoral Message”, which had been drafted following a conference call meeting of the Committee in October, received over 70 amendments. These amendments were considered at a meeting of the Committee which occurred during the General Meeting. Many of these proposed amendments reflected the tension between the non-violence and the just war traditions of the Church. Bishop Gumbleton argued strenuously for the recasting of the document in favor of the non-violence tradition. Most of his amendments were ultimately unsuccessful and the document was adopted by a significant majority. []
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