I attended that recent congressional briefing in order to signal Pax Christi USA's strong support of an initiative developed by our colleagues at Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). Their proposal, initiated at the briefing, was for a grassroots campaign seeking a congressional resolution that states: "It is the policy of the United States to withdraw all U.S. military troops and bases from Iraq." ...
The intent of this initiative is to have churches across the nation discuss, debate and then adopt the resolution which is worded as a call upon congress.
Sort of like the intent being to have a fair trial before the hanging.
Well...what's the odds of the Pastor actually ASKING for 'discussion' at parishes?
ReplyDeleteWho needs those clod parish-member opinions, anyway?
It reminded me more of the parishioner briefings for the building proposal of a few year's back at St. Al's. One of the trustees assured us that the proposal was "not on rails." It sure seemed like it was, since all they were asking was how big a train we were willing to pay for.
ReplyDeleteWell, my Sunday Mass bulletin from the Cathedral prominently features a blurb for an all-night Peace Vigil which will be held in Cathedral Sq. on the 24th. The sponsors? "Catholics for Peace and Justice." Expect a handful of aging hippies (of both the clerical and lay variety) to sing Baez and Dylan tunes and feel awfully good about their enlightened selves. Unasked - and certainly unanswered - will be questions like "Can we simply desert Iraq now, no matter how you feel about the war?"
ReplyDeleteFor speakers, they've got a Capuchin with a law degree from Georgetown, a local Iraqi businessman, and a Franciscan to "address the cost of the war here at home." Why don't they ring up Mother Sheehan as well? I imagine she has more time on her hands post-Katrina.
Donna