Iraq
The United States declared war on Iraq on March 19, 2003. Although “mission accomplished” was declared months later, sectarian violence, bombings in civilian sectors such as markets, and attacks on US forces across the country have continued. The devastation of the war is widespread. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have died in the violence. More than 4 million people have been displaced and roughly 40 percent of Iraq’s middle class has fled the country, particularly Iraqi Christians. Iraqi Christians – Chaldeans - have been specifically targeted and killed in the conflict, including the Archbishop of Mosul, Paulos Faraj Rahho. And while the country has begun to develop democratic institutions and a functioning parliament, its Shiia, Sunni and Kurdish ethnic groups remain fractured in this fledgling democracy.
The United States spends almost $10 billion per month on the conflict and has lost more than 4,000 soldiers. With 150,000 soldiers currently in the country, the question that remains for today is how to assist in Iraq’s movement to a sustainable peace and develop its democratic governance. Many scholars argue that the United Nations must be brought in to facilitate this nation building and help to maintain peace. And the United States continues to debate whether and when to pull out the majority of its troops.
Jesuit Response
Putting the decision to go to war behind us, the Jesuit Conference has aimed to think about ethical next steps in United States’ Iraq policy through its series, Iraq: Catholic Resources for Discernment. First, what is the United States’ responsibility to Iraq, now in its post-conflict status as a sovereign nation? International law asserts that an occupying power is responsible for the security of the nation it occupies. But whether this security should be understood narrowly as physical security and basic infrastructure, or more broadly as the establishment of democratic institutions and the rule of law, has been debated. Secondly, what cultural assumptions do we as Americans make when considering how to transition out of Iraq? When we think about US policy, do we consider the best interests of Iraqis as well as Americans? Thirdly, what responsibility do we, as Christians and Catholics have in helping the United States make decisions about the conflict?
Download Iraq education and reflection toolkit
Ignatian Prayer for Peace
Gracious God,
We long for the day when nations will, indeed, beat swords into plowshares, spears into pruning hooks, that those whose bellies now ache with hunger might know their fill of the sweet fruit of your blessed earth.
We yearn for the dawn of that radiant morning when war is truly no more, that those who now know only the taste of war's bitter ashes may savor the sweet springs of your consoling peace.
Yes, Lord, it is for this that we long. And so it is for this that you call us to work.
Enliven, enflame and embolden us with your Spirit. Let your Spirit touch our lips that we may speak the truth that violence and war have no place in your plan for us.
Let your Spirit touch our hands that we may extend them in friendship to all from whom we are now estranged.
Let your Spirit touch our ears that they may hear the cries of all victims of war, violence, oppression and injustice that moved with compassion we might right the wrongs that afflict them and so liberate them from their suffering.
Yes, Lord, let your Spirit enliven us this day and every day that the day for which we long will dawn daily in our deeds of love, in our words of forgiveness, in our touch of friendship and compassion.
Yes, Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Amen.
Rev. Mark Hallinan, SJ