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Pax Christi USA - PSA e-Bulletin
Pray-Study-Act: Fever Pitch in Afghanistan 
In This Issue
PRAY: Remembrance and Repentance
STUDY: Afghan and American Reflections
ACT: Crawling to the Finish
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On The Web

Read this study on the US-Afghan Strategic Partnership Agreement written by Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers 

 

 Click here for Pax Christi USA's Afghanistan Program page

 

 Read Chris Hedges' comments on the "anomalous" killing spree

 

Read FCNL's Matt Southworth on the meaning of the massacre 

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March 20, 2012

Greetings! 

Isn't it time to end the Afghanistan War? Over the past two months the world has witnessed Marines shamelessly urinating on dead bodies, troops disrespectfully burning the Quran, and the horrific massacre of 16 civilians. These are significant indications of the failures of US policy in Afghanistan-rather than liberating and protecting citizens, our forces continue to terrorize. And the weariness of our soldiers is now visible to all, even among those soldiers who are convinced of the justice of their cause. We as a people must work together to repair the wounds we have caused to the Afghans, and to resolve the confusion among ourselves. 

 

Why do Americans choose to keep risking their lives, spending their money, and losing face internationally because of this war? America can do better than this. Wage peace instead of war and love instead of hate. Even though the Obama administration is sticking to its plan to withdraw combat forces in 2013, nobody knows what will happen before that. The clear message is that the war in Afghanistan should be put to an end. About 60% of people in America feel the war is not worth fighting.  Afghans are tired after three decades of wars. It is time for peace talks and not coercion. The USA's failure to acknowledge the reality of the war in Afghanistan is setting back a lot of peace developments. No one is winning in this war. It is time to end it and withdraw the troops. 

 

 

Here at Pax Christi USA, we urge a peaceful transition especially after all these events. We pray that our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan may stay calm and respond peacefully to the violence against them, a task in which they can expect support from us and nonviolent movements across the world. Meanwhile, we ask all Americans to show the spirit of unity and reconciliation with the Afghan people. US-assisted solutions should include talks with all conflicting parties; as a political mediator in the Afghanistan government, the US should play a major role in the negotiations that will include international communities and the regional players. Iran, Pakistan, and India should be involved in the peace talks. Peace in Afghanistan is inevitable if real peace processes are implemented. 

 

Yours in Peace,

 

Peter Majura

Program Associate

PRAY:

Remembrance and Repentance

By Janet Marley, England, 1988 

  

Oh Christ,

In whose body was named

All the violence of the world,

And in whose memory is contained

Our profoundest grief,

 

We lay open to you:

The violence done to us in the time before memory;

The unremembered wounds that have misshaped our lives;

The injustice we cannot forget

And have not forgiven.

 

The remembrance of them is grievous to us;

The burden of them is intolerable.

 

We lay open to you:

The violence done in our name in time before memory;

The unremembered wounds we have inflicted;

The injustice we cannot forget

And for which we have not been forgiven.

 

The remembrance of them is grievous to us;

The burden of them is intolerable.

 

We lay open to you:

Those who have pursued a violent knowledge the world cannot forget;

Those caught up in violence they have refused to name;

Those who have enacted violence which they have not repented.

 

The remembrance of them is grievous to us;

The burden of them is intolerable.

 

We lay open to you:

The victims of violence whose only memorial is our anger;

Those whose suffering was sustained on our behalf;

Those whose continued oppression provides the ground we stand on.

 

The remembrance of them is grievous to us;

The burden of them is intolerable.

 

Hear what comfortable words our savior Christ says to all

Who truly turn to God:

 

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden,

And I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,

For I am gentle and lowly in heart,

And you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.

 

We wholeheartedly repent

Of the evil we have done.

And of the evil done on our behalf;

And we look for grace to offer forgiveness,

And to know ourselves forgiven.

STUDY:

Afghan and American Reflections

In response to this horrific massacre, Kathy Kelly, a Pax Christi member and Director of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, and Hakim from Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers were interviewed on "Democracy Now." Both Kathy and Hakim give us a message for peace after the killings in Afghanistan. Here is the link to the video:  

 

Click here to watch the interview.

ACT:

Crawling to the Finish


1.    Remember the 16 civilians who were killed by asking your parish priest to offer mass for them, or organize a community/group vigil for them.

 

2.      Consider writing a letter to the editor to your local newspaper today addressing your Afghanistan War concerns and to tell your community that the US War in Afghanistan has failed.

 

3.  Consider writing a letter to your member of Congress requesting her or him to co-sponsor Barbara Lee's Bill #780 - Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act, which would appropriate funds specifically for a responsible withdraw of combat troops from Afghanistan.

 Click here to see more details.

4.    Consider joining the Global Days of Listening Call that is all day on Wednesday, and speak to the Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers.  

5.    Contact your members of Congress today and tell them you support cutting the Pentagon budget by $1 trillion over 10 years. Either call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or click here for the Congress website.