Sister Ann Carville, OSF – 12/29/05

This page was last updated on December 30, 2005.

Pray for peace on Earth; Sister Ann Carville, OSF; Beaver County Times; December 29, 2005. Sister Marguerite Coyne, CSJ, was listed as co-author. The letter alleges the authors are “Co-chairs Tri-Diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference.”

An editor’s note alleges, “The following congregations are members of the Tri-Diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference: Felician Sisters, School Sisters of St. Francis, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, Sisters of Divine Providence, Sisters of the Divine Redeemer, Sisters of St. Francis, Millvale, Sisters of St. Francis of the Providence of God, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Sisters of the Holy Spirit, Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Sisters of St. Joseph, Sisters of Mercy and Vincentian Sisters of Charity.”

I’m sorry to see the Sisters of St. Joseph in this list. It was a long time ago, but my recollection of the sisters who taught me at St. Titus is they likely wouldn’t blame America for the world’s problems. Of course, a significant number of them lived through World War II and I suspect that experience affects your view of the world. That said, I don’t believe the Sisters discussed their personal political views with kids, so my recollection could be wrong.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“In this time of great longing for peace on earth, the Tri-Diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference publicly reaffirms its resounding opposition to the ongoing war in Iraq. The war continues to precipitate a devastating and escalating toll on precious human lives - both military and civilian - American, Iraqi and others.”

[RWC] Note the letter doesn’t mention the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed by Saddam Hussein. This is in addition to the approximately 1,000,000 Iranians and Iraqis killed during the Iran/Iraq War initiated by Saddam Hussein.

“As seekers of peace, justice and unity, the TDSLC denounces all forms of violence and war, which not only dehumanizes and diminishes all of the human community but also destroys the gifts of Earth.”

[RWC] What does the TDSLC say about standing around doing nothing when your brothers and sisters, both American and foreign, are murdered? Are we not allowed to defend ourselves and take actions that will minimize the overall death toll? Remember, whether or not we consider ourselves to be at war with our enemies, they are at war with us and have demonstrated over and over again they will kill us.

If the “TDSLC denounces all forms of violence and war,” why didn’t the letter mention Afghanistan? More importantly, why didn’t the letter mention those who would either subjugate us or wipe us from the Earth?

“The TDSLC urges our government to develop a responsible plan for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq; to support the development of infrastructures for both human and environmental stability in Iraq; to respect religious and cultural diversity within Iraq; and to redirect needed resources to meet human needs at home and in other parts of the world.”

[RWC] This letter goes to show you can’t even trust nuns when it comes to politics. Everything in this paragraph has been done or is in progress.

“For the men and women who serve our country with conviction, we offer our prayerful support that God may keep them out of harm’s way. The TDSLC prays that the calmness and peace of that most holy night in Bethlehem will soon find a path to all peoples and nations of the world.

“The TDSLC is comprised of 70 women religious who serve in leadership positions within 17 religious congregations in the greater metropolitan Pittsburgh area. It provides a forum for the sharing of information common to religious communities. Peace.”

[RWC] The letter repeatedly mentions peace, but never mentions the context. Does the TDSLC support peace at any cost? For example, would the TDSLC convert to Islam to gain peace? Would peace without freedom be OK?