Between Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and this week, the members of Pax Christi Pennsylvania, a new coalition and network of Pax Christi chapters in the Commonwealth, drafted a letter to 1). introduce the local chapters to the bishops of Pennsylvania, and 2). point out how, in the past eight weeks, some serious and terrifying examples of militarism, one of the “triple evils” described by Dr. King:
Our Concerns
- a preemptive military strike violating the national sovereignty of Venezuela and inflicting civilian casualties
- threats of unilateral intervention directed at Mexico, Colombia, Iran, and Cuba
- geopolitical demands to acquire the sovereign territory of Greenland
- undermining the UN and other international organizations in conflict resolution
- establishing a so-called pay-to-play “Board of Peace” for Gaza that does not satisfy the need for justice to build peace
- threats to deploy the U.S. military in domestic police actions
- terrorizing and killing of civilians by heavily armed federal agents in Minneapolis
- allowing the expiration of the New START treaty, which limits nuclear weapons stockpiling
We would also add the purchase of two warehouses in eastern PA that will be converted into large detention centers for the undocumented.
We stand horrified by these unjust actions that sow chaos and threaten human life. As members of Pax Christi Pennsylvania, we live the charism of gospel nonviolence: to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), to “put away the sword” (Matthew 26:52), to live the truth in nonviolent, loving service (Ephesian 4:15), to build the God’s kingdom of justice, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17).
We look to Pope Leo XIV who, in his opening Urbi et Orbi blessing moments after being elected, reminded the world that the gospel is “unarmed and disarming.” Weeks later in his letter to Pax Christi USA, the Holy Father encouraged us to form “local communities into ‘houses of peace’ where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practiced and forgiveness is cherished.” With this in mind, we ask you, our shepherds, in the name of the unarmed and disarming gospel of Christ:
Our Appeal to Our Bishops
- Name and speak more boldly against the injustice of militarism revealed in recent weeks
- Encourage brother clergy to preach and teach about the need for just peace
- Avoid “both-sidesism” by recognizing that there are structural, unjust differences in power that require prophetic clarity rather than neutrality
- Participate in public, prayerful, nonviolent witness as direct action
- Provide the faithful People of God direction about how to promote peace and justice in the face of increased violence fueled by militarism.
There comes a time when faith impels action, to promote meaningful change in our communities. We look to you, our bishops, for leadership. Now is the time for you to speak about this militarism that seeped into the policies of our country.
Additionally, in years past, Pax Christi could look–and find–the support of our bishops, particularly through their membership in Pax Christi and its work for justice. We members of Pax Christi Pennsylvania invite you to join us as formal members of this movement, to teach about Christ’s work of peacemaking and nonviolence to our siblings in faith, to help form them into peacemaking apostles. We stand ready to support your ministry in these challenging times.
