Archbishop John Wester (Santa Fe, NM) has just released a new statement on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. We are grateful for Archbishop Wester’s reminder that “peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only flourish through understanding and respect for one another’s dignity and worth.”
Use this link to read the statement in PDF format.
By Archbishop John Wester
Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM
Since the first attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the situation has reached tragic levels beyond anyone’s worst fears. The horrific massacre of innocent Israelis and the subsequent response from Israel has resulted in unimaginable loss of life and human suffering. In Gaza, the conflict has resulted in the loss of more than 52,000 lives, with 118,000 injured and still hostages who have not been returned home. Just since this past March, since Israel ended a cease-fire, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that 3,785 people have been killed, including nine of 10 children of a Palestinian doctor. According to the Red Cross, 470,000 people are facing starvation. Aid has been unable to enter Gaza for 11 weeks. These are more than just numbers on a page; these numbers represent families torn apart, children left without their parents, and parents going to mourn their children. In the face of such immense human anguish, the Catholic community and all people of goodwill are called to respond with compassion and action.
Speaking from our Catholic faith and tradition, Jesus Christ mandates us to advocate for peace and justice. The ongoing violence in Gaza stresses the urgent need for dialogue and reconciliation. Innocent lives are being lost, children are suffering in the midst of chaos, and countless families have been displaced and are living in fear and uncertainty. We must remember that peace cannot be achieved through violence; it can only flourish through understanding and respect for one another’s dignity and worth.
On May 8, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Holy City. In an in-flight interview with Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, he said, “As believers, we are convinced that prayer is a real force: it opens up the world to God. We are convinced that God can act in history.” We encourage all the faithful to join in prayer for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, the release of the hostages, and the immediate and comprehensive delivery of humanitarian aid. The targeting of civilians, including innocent children, the bombing of hospitals and schools, and the blocking of food, water, and medicine to Palestinians is unconscionable and inexcusable.
As we anticipate the great feast of Pentecost, I pray that the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of world leaders and bring about swift and lasting peace in the Holy Land. I call attention to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” October 7, 2023, was a day of unspeakable darkness and hate. The last 20 months in Gaza have been more of the same. How many more innocent people must die, how many children must be orphaned, and how many tears must be shed before the leaders of Hamas and Israel learn that light and love are the only weapons that will bring lasting peace to the land we call holy? How long, O Lord? How long?
I appreciate the importance of Archbishop Wester making any statement at all condemning the violence and starvation and encouraging a ceasefire, but I am disappointed to the point of disgust at his cowardice and/or ignorance of historical and current facts in failing to place the cause of this intolerable suffering on the actions of Israel and its enablers, primarily the United States. Everything Hamas has done is inevitable resistance and reaction to the brutal and illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.
I fully support your words, Stephanie. Bob
Thank you Archbishop Wester for your words to us – it is so painful to see the families fighting for food in Gaza – the children starving- so devastating when we all have so much – there must be a way for us to come together and give food for the children and families and to help Gaza from this terrible war. Where is the leadership ? We know you are there always – we have your special words and your cry for peace and “Living the Light of Christ Through Nuclear Disarmament in our Parishes in Newton Mass – you have helped us move forward as our leadership is asking for Parishes to get involved in nuclear disarmament – but to see Gaza this week – what has happened to us – please continue to pray and we will pray with you for leadership to emerge to stop. There is no need for greed and cruelty and violence to continue.
Ann Capoccia
I hate to say so but Archbishop Wester’s call is too little too late. He makes it sound like a fight between equals that began on October 7, 2023 when it is, in fact, a genocide pure and simple. Any attempt to minimize this reality only gives license to Israel’s slaughter of the men, women and children in Gaza and makes such actions permissible everywhere. I’m sure the Jewish people slaughtered in the WWII holocaust took little comfort from such statements as they died horrible deaths daily like those in Gaza.
Before seeing the above comments reflecting on the letter by Archbishop Webster, I was reluctant to add my comment because I doubted it would be published. So, thanks to the fearless commentators above, her is my take on his episcopal letter: it is cautious to the point of deference to the Zionist cause. Why is it this way? Well, it could be because of what we discussed here the other day: Catholic fear of the label « anti-semite. » Or fear of financial retribution by our bipartisan politicians who are on the take from the all-powerful American-Israeli Political Action Committee. His letter was a soulless corpse eviscerated of the semantic vitals naming the Israeli blitz of Gaza for what it is: « genocide, » « ethnic cleansing, » and, yes, « contemporary Holocaust. » Your Excellency: Your present letter is very much at deviance with your courageous and astounding epistle on the evil of nuclear weapons.
Be not afraid!
David-Ross Gerling, PhD