IHM: Liberation and Peace

Peace and Global Solidarity

Some Thoughts on Liberating Mission and Peace on Earth

By Elizabeth Walters, IHM

The liberating mission of Christ energizes our IHM life and ministry. With all the love in our hearts we strive to live this liberating mission, and bring this wonderful gift-charism to our relationships and ministry. Christ's liberating mission also energizes our IHM commitment to justice, peace, and sustainability. It gives us the lens through which to see societal complexities. It gives us the motivation to engage in analysis, reflection and action planning. It gives us the ability to imagine a transformed Earth Community.

Ironically, at the societal level the word liberation is sometimes used to justify domination. This mindset presents war and occupation as liberating events. The United States war and occupation in Iraq is an example. From August 26, 2002-November 2, 2003 the Bush Administration insisted that Iraq possessed significant weapons of mass destruction poised to strike the United States and other nations (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2008.) That got people's attention. Then on March 19, 2003, President Bush told the American public that he was launching an invasion and war to disarm Iraq and liberate its people At the close of his four-minute 'we are attacking Iraq' announcement, President Bush said, "We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others. And we will prevail. May God bless our country and all who defend her" (President Bush, 2003.)

War-promoting institutions and structures continued to reinforce these presidential messages. Gradually however, truth came to light, facts were proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, and war justifications crumbled. Iraq was not an imminent threat to United States national security. There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. There was to be no true liberation for the people of Iraq. The real goals of the war included gaining control of Iraq's resources and establishing United States hegemony over the Middle East.

Put simply, the war and occupation of Iraq was not and is not about liberation or peace. People cannot be liberated by the tanks and bombs of leaders who are continuing centuries-old policies of domination, commandeering resources for themselves, and fomenting hatred against the cultures and peoples.

The opposite of liberation, finds expression in war. For invader-leaders, war is the arena where the winners triumph over losers. It is the instrument that dissolves human rights and international restrictions on targeting civilians and torture. Moreover, here at home the war's mission and U.S. troops are used to silence freedom of speech and opposition to the war. For example, we're told we must "complete the mission" and "achieve victory." To do otherwise would demean the sacrifice of those who have died or been wounded. Lack of support for completing the mission and winning the war is said by the promoters of war, to be unpatriotic, un-American, and detrimental to the troops. At their insistence, the only way one can support the troops is to support the war, no matter how ill-founded the war may be.

The Iraq war that started in March of 2003 was another phase of something now called "perpetual war." Tragically, perpetual war has become a major element in our country's foreign policy. In the case of the Middle East, the actual military conflict, involving U.S. troops against Iraq, began in January 1991. But the roots go much deeper. The prelude to this actually dates back almost one hundred years, when the value of Middle East oil was recognized by the industrialized West.

In spite of the grip that perpetual war has on our country, there are many hope-filled signs that point to liberation and peace on Earth. In the months to come, the IHM Committee to Abolish War and Activate Peace will be sharing this hope with you.

As a conclusion to this article, there are hope-filled signs. Polls reveal that the majority of people in the United States oppose war/occupation in Iraq. Presidential campaigns reveal that ending the war in Iraq is a major concern of all demographic segments of the population including the young, middle aged and seniors.

So what do we do? A few suggestions:

Take time to prayerfully discern: What is the call of the liberating mission of Christ in light of present day invasions, wars and occupations? How can we grow into the sacredness of Earth and interconnectedness with all life that is the ground of peace? Am I attentive to all the wonderful movements of Gods presence within me, within the congregation, within Earth Community?.

Share our convictions: Talk with community members, friends, family and others about the importance of ending the war in Iraq and changing the mindset that leads to war. Tell members of Congress to 'bring the troops home' and 'no more funding for war and occupation.'

Make peace an election-year issue: The 2008 elections present a perfect opportunity to let presidential candidates know that wars and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan are major issues of public concern. Remind the candidates that war must be abolished and the mindset that creates war must change.

Check out the IHM Committee to Abolish War and Activate Peace's list of recommended Web sites for analysis and action.

References:

Bush, George W. (March 19, 2003) President Bush Address to the Nation. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030319-17.html

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2008). The Bush Administration on Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction Capabilities August 26, 2002-November 2, 2003.

February 13, 2008