Twelve
Simple Actions for Peace and Solidarity
- Consider
setting aside a day to fast and pray for peace. This act of self-sacrifice and love is a
sign of solidarity for all of humanity.
Your fast may also be dedicated to our national and world leaders
that God may grant them the wisdom and strength to seek peaceful solutions
to the current crisis so that war may be averted. You may also want to consider making a
Novena for Peace using the Prayer of St. Francis.
- Write a letter
or call President Bush, your U.S. Senators and Representative urging
them to oppose unilateral, preemptive military actions. Urge them to push for rigorous and
meaningful U.N. weapons inspections and diplomatic solutions. Encourage others to do the same. Send letters to:
President George W. Bush Senator George Voinovich
The White House Federal Building, Room 2955
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 1240 E. Ninth St.
Washington, DC 20500 Cleveland, OH 44199-2001
Representative __________ Senator Michael DeWine
House Office Building 37 W. Broad St., Room 970
Washington, DC 20515 Columbus, OH 43215
Phone:
The White House, 202-456-1414; Congress, 202-224-3121
- Conduct a
peace prayer service at your parish.
(A sample peace prayer service is available by calling the Catholic
Commission, or on the web at www.catholic-action.org.)
- Make a
financial contribution to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to be used in
their efforts at providing food, medicine and healthcare to the Iraqi
people. (CRS, 209 West Fayette St., Baltimore,
MD 21201-3443; phone 1-800-235-2772 or www.catholicrelief.org.)
- Purchase a
“Pray for Peace and Nonviolence” yard sign and post it in a prominent
spot. Order a sign from the
Catholic Commission; cost - $5.00.
Buy yard signs as gifts for your friends.
- Urge your
pastor to distribute the Prayer for Peace of Pope John Paul II and the
Mantra for Peace with Iraq.
(Copies are available at 330-535-2787/1-888-620-5280.)
- Attend the Cleveland City Club (850 Euclid Avenue) address by Gerry Powers of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Gerry
will speak on the Just War Theory and President Bush’s Preemption Doctrine
on Friday, March 28, 12:00 Noon.
For reservations, call 216-621-0082.
- In the
unfortunate event of war, attend the community wide Peace Prayer Service
at St. Bernard’s Parish, Broadway & State Street in Akron.
People of faith will gather at 5:45 p.m.
A peaceful, candlelight march to the Federal Building will follow the prayer service.
- Sponsor a
forum on Catholic social teaching related to peace. (Call the Diocesan Education & Training Center for Social Justice for resources,
330-535-2787/1-888-620-5280.)
- Write a letter
to the Editor of your local newspaper on the importance of finding a
diplomatic solution to the crisis with Iraq.
- Stay informed
about peace activities, rallies and resources through the legislative
hotline (1-800-869-6525, ext. 6690) and the following WEB sites:
Diocesan
Social Action Office www.catholic-action.org
Catholic Relief Services www.catholicrelief.org
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops www.usccb.org
National Council of Churches www.ncccusa.org
Pray for Peace and Nonviolence
Prepared by the Catholic Commissions of the Diocese of Cleveland
In conjunction with
The Diocesan Education & Training Center for Social Justice
www.catholic-action.org
Commission on
Catholic Community Action (216)
696-6525, ext. 3060
Catholic Commission – Summit County (330)
535-2787
Catholic Action Commission of Lorain County (440)
244-6037
Catholic Commission of Wayne, Ashland and Medina Counties (330) 263-6176
Catholic Commission of Lake/Geauga
Counties (440)
585-7745
Catholic Campaign for Human
Development (216)
696-6525, ext. 2280