Earlier this week, as the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) met in Baltimore, Pax Christi members joined other Catholics and allies outside the meeting space to demand that Church leaders break their silence on what leading human rights experts have identified as genocide in Gaza.
The gathering, organized by Christians for a Free Palestine–Catholic Caucus, took place in the early evening of November 11. It featured prayer, witness, and calls for the bishops to embody the Gospel’s demand for justice and compassion.
“Pax Christi calls on the US bishops to join the growing Catholic outcry for justice,” said Jessica Sun, a member of the leadership team of the Pax Christi USA Young Adult Caucus. “The Church cannot claim to be pro-life while ignoring a campaign of mass killing. The Gospel compels us to stand with the crucified people of Gaza.”
Badre Rachidi, a member of Christian for a Free Palestine, said, “We do not need more statements about ‘peace on both sides’—we need solidarity and moral clarity. The bishops’ silence gives cover to genocide. Their voice could help save lives.”
Representatives from Veterans for Peace also joined the gathering. Ellen Barfield, a member of the Baltimore Phil Berrigan Chapter, said, “As veterans who have witnessed the human toll of war, we cannot stay silent while our government arms and funds the destruction of Gaza. If the Church cannot speak when children are being starved and bombed, then when will it speak?”
Participants say the bishops’ failure to publicly condemn the ongoing siege and bombardment of Gaza stands in stark contrast to Catholic social teaching, which upholds the dignity of all human life. “We are not here to condemn the Church,” said Jessica Sun, “we are here to call it back to its conscience.”
Christians for a Free Palestine serves as a call to the Christian community to use their public voice and collective power to advocate for peace, challenge Christian Zionism, and resist all forms of empire.
Well done, all!
Thank you for expressing my concerns to our US Bishops. I wish I could have been there to support you. Thank you and may the peace of the Prince of Peace be with you always! 🙏🙏
Very sadly (for them), the Bishops had the shades in the conference room pulled down so they wouldn’t see or hear us. “Seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” Matt. 13:13.
Thank God for Archbishop Wester who told me( Kathy Boylan ) that he is horrified by the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and has attended two demonstrations opposing tne Israeli genocide.
Was it ever an item on their agenda?