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A Call to Alms

This Fr. Gerry Creedon homily was delivered at St. Charles on September 7, 2003

"Say to those whose hearts are frightened, fear not!" Isaiah 35, 4.
"The Lord sets captives free..and secures justice for the oppressed" PS 146

I RECEIVED A CALL from the US Bishops' Conference recently asking about my participation in 9/11/2001.

That morning I offered the prayer at Congress at 9:52 AM. It is the only entry in the Congressional record for that fateful day: "God of peace and life, send your spirit to heal our country: bring consolation to all injured in today's tragedy in New York and Washington. Protect us and help our leaders to lead us out of this moment of crisis to a new day of peace. Amen."

I had prepared a different prayer following the visit of President Fox of Mexico on the theme of welcome the stranger. I hurriedly scribbled this prayer on the shoulder of Chaplain, Rev Dan Coughlin. The speaker of the House was urging me to keep it brief, since he wanted to dismiss congress immediately thereafter. No sooner had I finished than he hit the gavel and all started to run, including a member who left her high heels behind her. You will notice that the prayer does not mention Pennsylvania. It had not happened yet. We were ordered out onto the lawn because a third plane was unaccounted for and might be heading in the direction of the Capitol. Cars were impounded, so I spent the day repeating my prayer twice more to the assembled senators and congressmen at the Capitol Police Headquarters and listening to a swirl of questions. The search for the meaning of what had happened turned into a national and international debate on the appropriate response to terror.

There are those who argue for peace and security though strength, who believe in fighting fire with fire, terror with the terrible consequences of physical force. In my file I find the words of Cormac Murphy O Connor, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, presenting a different perspective. They were written as we contemplated military action against Iraq:

"By pouring almost inconceivably massive resources into preparing for, and then prosecuting, military conflict, we inevitably divert funds from the war on world poverty. By doing so, we further endanger the fragile lives of millions of people, over and above those who become victims of conflict itself.

"Perhaps the time has come to consider an unprecedented coalition of aid to the poorest peoples of the world - to Africa in the first place, but also to the displaced and impoverished people of the Middle East. Would not that be a more far reaching, sustainable and positive way to challenge both the evil of terrorism and the scandal of world poverty? Terrorism can never be portrayed or defended as protest against poverty; but neither can it be defeated simply by force of arms. Even a decisive and "successful" war would create swaths of new victims and tend to deepen existing patterns of hostility. I am convinced that the might of generous self-sacrifice, rather than the might of arms, is the only way to construct a more just and more peaceful world.

"In a globalized world, the wisdom of specific actions or policies with international impact must ultimately be judged by the extent to which they improve the lot of all mankind, especially the poorest, and enhance the prospects for world peace. At present there are genuine reasons to doubt that military action against Iraq would pass that test."

I share these words not to second guess decisions that have been made but to continue the reflection on the ethical principles that should guide the great issues of war and peace. The archbishop of London reflected the thrust of papal teaching summarized so well by Pope Paul VI in the phrases; "Development is the new name for peace" and "If you want peace , work for justice". In a world of growing economic inequity, despair leads to violence.

From my time in the Dominican Republic I became convinced that apart from missionaries, Americans who worked for Peace Corps presented a powerful witness to the enhancement of trust, security through action for justice, as they dug wells and built bridges. The Peace Corps is not our most expensive program.

The Gospel presents Christ accompanying his teaching of the good news with concrete actions of reconciliation. He opened the ears of the hearing impaired, he placed saliva on the tongue of the one with a speech impediment as he extended healing. All of our congregation involved with healthcare extend this same ministry of Jesus.

Our tithe today supports Arlington's Free Clinic as it offers medical care to those without insurance or immigration documents. St Charles will accompany its teaching ministry with continuing outreach and action for justice. Faith calls us to healing in all of its dimensions locally and globally.

  or  2003 Homilies