May 3, 2008 is the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Bishops' pastoral letter on The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our Response. I have been re-reading the document and have been surprised to find so much of the message to be very relevant today.
One of the great injustices then, and today, is the lack of dignity for all persons, especially the unborn child. The 1983 document refers to the Gospels of St. Matthew (5:44-48) and St. Luke (6:27-28) where we are called to forgive one another. This teaching of forgiveness enters into our Catholic teaching against capital punishment and against all forms of violence. The "just-war" theory described in the 1983 document has been used by our U.S. Catholic bishops today as we pray for peace and for an end to the violence of war.
In the 1983 document, every diocese and parish was urged to educate on the issues of war and peace. Our diocese has continued to share the pastoral statements of our Holy Father and of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, urging us to pray for our troops and to pray for an end to war. School children have been active in connecting with our troops and have witnessed to the importance of love of our neighbor.
Today, the diocesan Office for Social Concerns urges every parish to educate all, young and old, to an understanding of the issues of war and peace. We are called to witness to the love of God in word, in action, and in deed - to move from war and conflict to love and peace. Peacemaking is not an option. It is a commitment of our love for God and our love for all. The Office of Social Concerns shares statements from Pope Benedict XVI and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. We encourage prayers for peace, for those who serve in our military, and for the victims of war and violence.
As the upcoming election approaches, let us encourage one another to register and vote. Our focus is not on party politics, philosophic debates or economic success; rather, we focus on the life and dignity of all. Catholic teaching challenges voters, candidates and elected officials to thoughtful and prayerful consideration on the moral and ethical scope of the issues.
In his encyclical God Is Love, Pope Benedict XVI encourages us to accept the Holy Spirit as our moral guide. He says, "The Spirit is the energy which transforms the heart of the ecclesial community, so that it becomes a witness before the world to the love of the Father, who wishes to make humanity a single family in his Son."
School Sister of Notre Dame Jane Boos is director of the diocesan Office for Social Concerns.