NETWORK's Letter to Congress
September 14, 2001
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby denounces the
violence our nation experienced with the attack on the World Trade
Center and the Pentagon. We pray for those who have died and those
who are injured. We offer our condolences and prayers for the
families, friends and colleagues of those who died. In this time
of national sorrow, we find solace in the selflessness of our
firefighters, police officers, rescue personnel, doctors, nurses
and the hundreds of citizens who are assisting them. They represent
humanity at its finest.
Such unconscionable violence, as we have experienced, generates
disbelief, deep anger, and then is often followed by the desire
to respond in kind. But we must resist this desire. Now is a time
for self-reflection and restraint.
President Bush, the administration and you, in Congress, are
deliberating your response, for indeed response in the name of
the people of this great nation is warranted. NETWORK urges that
the nature of that response reflects the best of this nation--a
nation committed to the dignity and equality of each human being,
to the protection of human rights, to freedom, peace and justice
for all.
NETWORK urges that we not respond with violence. As a nation
committed to democracy and human rights, our response should offer
a model that can be utilized by any nation in the global community
which suffers the horrible indignities of inhumane violence. Rather
than issue declarations of war, let us use appropriate courts
of law to try and punish those guilty of this violence.
Using the vehicles of justice, rather than those of retaliation
and vengeance, would indeed punish the perpetrators and would
call the entire world community to probe the roots of violence
in our world. Self-reflection as a nation may lead us to probe
the deeper questions; to examine why such hatred has been directed
against our nation. We must develop new strategies for non-violence,
reconciliation, and peace. Then, the people taken from their families,
friends, and colleagues would be seen not only as victims of senseless
violence, but as weavers of the fabric of new awareness and life.
We are aware of the heavy burden incumbent upon you during this
critical time of decisionmaking. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
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