Statement of U.S. Bishops’ International Justice and Peace Chairman Amidst Violence in the Holy Land
October 8, 2023
WASHINGTON – In response to the continued tensions and violence that erupted into warfare between Gaza and Israel on October 7, Bishop David J. Malloy of Rockford, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on International Justice and Peace, calls for prayers for peace in the Holy Land:
“On October 7, the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary, the world watched the operation launched from Gaza and the rapid call to arms from Israel that ensued. Almost 50 years to the day of the launch of the 1973 Arab–Israeli War, once again war is spilling out in the Holy Land. With it brings the mounting casualties and hostilities unfolding on all sides, and increased threats to the Status Quo of the Holy Places among Jews, Muslims, and Christians further dimming any hope for peace.
“The world is once again shocked and horrified by the outbreak of ferocious violence in the Holy Land. Reports have surfaced indicating large numbers of wounded and dead, including many civilians.
“I join with Pope Francis in his call for peace and his condemnation of this widespread outbreak of violence. As he stated in his Sunday audience, ‘May the attacks and weaponry cease. Please! And let it be understood that terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.’
“May all who love the Holy Land seek to bring about among all the parties engaged in the fighting a cessation of violence, respect for civilian populations and the release of hostages.
“As we pray urgently for peace, we recall especially all the families and individuals suffering from these events. We call on the faithful, and all people of good will to not grow weary and to continue to pray for peace in the land Our Lord, the Prince of Peace, called home.”
Land Ethic Statement
Adopted October 2022
The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, together with our Associates, embrace a land ethic that understands “community” to include not only humans but also all created reality. We believe that creation is an overflow of divine love in view of the Incarnation, and expression of God’s never-ending active presence in Jesus Christ. We recognize that all created beings are gifts of God, are interdependent, and exist for the common good.
Our land ethic directs all members of a community to treat one another with respect for the mutual benefit of all. We must care for and share what has been entrusted to us and use it carefully, sparingly, and gratefully. Our position affects the decisions we make about what we use each day and how we dispose of what we can no longer use. It requires continual assessment of the decisions we make about the health and well-being of our lands and buildings, what and how we make purchases, how we dispose our waste, and of what we no longer need, how we source the energy we use each day.
It motivates us to create spaces of beauty, harmony, and diversity wherever we live and minister.
