Sister Ann Carville, OSF – 8/6/06

This page was last updated on August 13, 2006.

Work to achieve peace; Sister Ann Carville, OSF; Beaver County Times; August 6, 2006. Sister Marguerite Coyne, CSJ, was listed as co-author. The letter alleges the authors are “Co-chairwomen Tri-Diocesan Sisters.”

An editor’s note asserts, “The Leadership Conference is comprised of 70 Catholic women religious who serve in leadership positions within 16 religious congregations in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Altoona-Johnstown and Wheeling.”

In a previous letter, the TDSLC wanted the U.S. to cut and run from Iraq while at the same time doing everything we’re doing to bring stability to Iraq.

Below is a detailed critique of the letter.

“The Tri-Diocesan Sisters Leadership Conference calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire by the Israeli army and the Hezbollah militia currently engaged in violent combat in Lebanon, Israel and Gaza.”

[RWC] Is any kind of combat not violent? Note the TDSLC refers to Hezbollah as a “militia,” not a band of terrorists.

“In a matter of days, the conflict has killed hundreds of innocent civilians and has displaced thousands more from their homes. We believe that continued fighting, bombing and further violence gravely endanger innocent citizens of Lebanon, Israel and Gaza, and will inflict massive damage on the essential infrastructure that supports those countries.”

[RWC] Note the moral equivalence given to Israel and the terrorists in Gaza and Lebanon. You’ll also note the letter never acknowledges it was terrorists in Gaza and Lebanon who started the most recent violence by crossing into Israel to kill and take hostage Israeli soldiers.

“We call on President George W. Bush and the leaders of the nations in conflict to participate now in good faith diplomatic negotiations to act decisively with the international community to end the violence and work toward lasting peace and stability.

“As women religious, we commit ourselves to peace and to urging our leaders to act as responsible members of the world community.”

[RWC] Note the TDSLC seems to worry only about “lasting peace and stability.” This letter never says anything about freedom.

“We mourn for the hundreds of people who have died and for the thousands who have been forced to flee this violence in the Middle East.”

[RWC] I guess this means the TDSLC also mourns for the terrorists.

“We offer our prayers with people of all faiths who long for peace, who believe in a God of peace, and who are working to make God’s desire for a world at peace a reality.”

[RWC] I was taught we were to pray for everyone, but that was in the 1950s and 1960s. Perhaps the rules have changed.

In any case, since they set the conditions, I guess this means the TDSLC won’t be praying for the Muslims who are responsible for this violence.