Statement of the 4th Networking Meeting of Catholic Justice and Peace Workers in Asia

The 4th Networking meeting of Catholic Justice and Peace workers in Asia is being held in the Philippines from 4-10 November 2001. We, the eighteen delegates from Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Asian Center for the Progress of Peoples were greatly saddened by the events taking place: the terrorist attack in the USA, the war in Afghanistan, the conflict in Palestine and in other countries in the world.

In this time of crisis, we echo the words of the psalmist: "Do not get worried over evil people nor be envious of wrongdoers. For they will fade as any green herb and soon be gone like withered grass. Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and be at ease. Make the Lord your delight and he will grant your heart's desire." (Psalm 37, 1-4) We believe in the sentiments of Pope John XXIII in his encyclical Pacem in Terris that removes completely any justification for war (127).

We offer our heartfelt condolences to our brothers and sisters in the US particularly those who lost their loved ones. We unite in pursuing a thorough investigation of the attacks and call for an international tribunal that will bring to justice all the perpetrators.

As peace-loving people we strongly oppose the relentless bombing of Afghanistan and the collaboration of some governments in Asia to support the US Government-led initiative. It is destroying innocent lives and driving millions of people towards hunger and homelessness. We believe that every life is precious and sacred in the eyes of God and hence we need to uphold the dignity of the human person irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Hence we also oppose terrorism particularly in the name of religious fundamentalism.

We believe that the foreign policy of the US has been distinctively controversial for decades. UN sanctions that continue at the insistence of the US government have killed about a million children in Iraq. The unqualified support to Israel is another factor, which embitters the people especially of the Middle East. The US government has seldom bothered to adhere to any norms of international political, economic and military behavior. It has taken upon itself the role of the police, prosecutor, jury, judge and executioner with scant regard for international opinion.

As Christians, we commit ourselves:

• To be agents of peace and reconciliation because Jesus Christ said: "Blessed are the peacemakers, they shall be recognized as children of God." (Matthew 5, 9)
• To practice the non-violence of Jesus Christ as he taught
• To promote and support inter-faith dialogues
• To pledge our resources to reach out to the needs of the Afghan refugees and to appeal to other peoples to do the same
• To broaden our peace education efforts to bring about attitudinal changes and affirm option for peace among peoples of all faiths
• To intensify our network and partnership by engaging in collaborative efforts with various groups working for justice and peace particularly in Asia

We remind ourselves that the search for peace is a duty and that every country that has the means to intervene to bring peace must do so in these critical times in the lives of people throughout the world. To build a solid foundation of peace, we need international collaboration for justice. "Peace is our work. To everyone, Christians, believers, men and women of good will, I say: Do not be afraid to take a chance on peace, to teach peace...Peace will be the last word of history." (John Paul II)

Commission for Justice and Peace-Bangladesh
Asian Center for the Progress of Peoples (ACPP)-Hotline Asia
Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC
Catholic Commission for Justice & Peace - Thailand
Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace
Justice & Peace Commission of Hong Kong Catholic Diocese
Justice & Peace Commission - Mumbai, India
Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission - Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (JPICC-AMRSP)
Korean Catholic Human Rights Committee
Korea Catholic Peace Network
National Commission for Justice and Peace - Pakistan