Congregation of
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Post Office Box 476
Lacombe, Louisiana 70445-0476
Telephone: (504) 524-2398
Facsimile: (504) 524-5011
February 4, 2003
President George Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
As a religious congregation of women ministering in the United
States and the Philippines, we express our strong moral reservations
regarding the use of military force against Iraq.
As a nation, the United States has always stood against
aggression. We judge a preemptive strike against Iraq by the United
States to be a war of aggression and as such violates just-war
standards and the standards against aggression followed by the
United States.
We share the world’s concern and especially our government’s
concern about Iraq’s possible possession and use of weapons of mass
destruction. However, we are not convinced that all means short of
war have been exhausted. We urge our government to assist the United
Nations in locating these weapons of mass destruction. In doing so
we can save thousands of lives.
In addition to the loss of life, war would bring disaster to the
already damaged infrastructure of Iraq where 49% of Iraqi families
do not earn enough to meet their basic needs and the infant
mortality rate has soared by 50%.
Our prayers for wisdom, courage and compassion are offered for
you and our nation.
Sincerely,
(signed)
Sister Ursula Diasselliss, O. Carm.
President |