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August/September 2003

CMSM Assembly Adopts Resolutions for Solidarity with Cuba, Support for Fair Trade
During the membership meeting of the 2003 Annual Assembly CMSM members approved two resolutions on Cuba and the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement. Both of these resolutions arise from dialogue with our colleagues in CLAR and several member congregations actively involved in these areas.

The first resolution to promotes normalizing relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Following the March 2003 CMSM, LCWR, CLAR, and Canadian Religious Conference (CRC) delegation and meetings in Cuba it was felt that a more sustained efforts to respond to their requests for solidarity and supporting the reform movements was necessary. Legislation recently introduced into Congress would ease the 40-year-old embargo and allow U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. The resolution expresses support for the Church and reformers in Cuba and efforts in the U.S. to change our long-standing but failed policy. The Justice and Peace Office will maintain contact with our new partners in Cuba and will keep CMSM members updated regarding any new Cuban initiatives.

The second resolution calls for CMSM to promote a dialogue about the upcoming legislation on free trade with Central America and its impact on the people of Latin America, especially on human rights, labor conditions and the environment. CAFTA is being negotiated between the U.S. and the nations of Central America without any public debate or any input from civil society. The conditions of the agreement are unknown, but it is believed that it will be closely modeled on NAFTA. The effects of NAFTA have been quite devastating for many workers and for the economy and environment in Mexico. Central American nations have even less regulations protecting workers, health care, or the environment.

CAFTA is scheduled to be presented to Congress sometime early in 2004. It will be voted on under "fast-track" legislation, meaning that it will be brought to a vote without following usual procedures, no changes or amendments will be permitted, debate will be limited. It is virtually a rubber stamp vote for whatever the Administration presents.

CMSM will be joining with other organizations deeply concerned about the process and the people this agreement will affect to educate and promote just trade that protects workers rights and the environment. Copies of both resolutions are included in this mailing.

Pax Christi Consultation Discusses "Pre-emptive Peace"
Nearly 100 Catholic religious leaders, theologians, authors, peace activists, and grass roots strategists met on July 31at St. John’s University in New York for a day-long consultation sponsored by Pax Christi International on Catholic approaches to peace-building, war, and global solidarity in light of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. and the U.S. war in Iraq.

The purpose of the meeting was to contribute to the discernment of a global framework, including a nonviolent ethic, for evaluating and responding to violent conflict and war in the 21st century. Some of the concerns discussed during the consultations included the marginalization of the peace movement in the media over the past two years and the appropriation of religious language and images by government officials to justify their actions. U.S. foreign policy has been framed in terms of freedom and liberation but not in terms of justice and the agenda never includes what the "freedom" will look like.

Participants agreed that what must be sought is a "culture of peace." All of us must begin building this culture from the perspective of insecurity. The "war on terror" makes each person less secure and immerses us in a culture of fear. In the gospels, Jesus teaches that security is grounded in love. Catholic responses to war and terror must begin with the security of creating a community of love and justice that arises from solidarity with the poor and marginalized.

The consultation was a first step in creating an ongoing dialogue to promote solidarity and peace-building on grass roots and international levels.

Israeli "Fence" Blocks Road Map to Peace
The White House is now considering financial pressure as a means to convince Israel to halt building, or at least to change the route, of the "fence" under construction on Palestinian land in the West Bank. Reports indicate that U.S. officials are considering reducing the loan guarantees approved by Congress in the spring by the amount Israel spends on the "fence," or at least those portions that are on the West Bank side of the 1967 border known as the "Green Line." Once completed the "fence" will cover 350 kilometers at a cost of $250 million and will consist of concrete walls, barbed-wire fences, ditches, sensors, and other devices designed to keep Palestinians from crossing into Israeli territory or Jewish settlements. The "fence" will cut off Palestinians from their farms and markets and would be a major set-back to the peace process’s goal of a two states, which is at the heart of the Road Map. During the January 2003 CMSM-LCWR delegation to the region the delegates saw a part of the "fence" under construction near the checkpoint separating Jerusalem from Ramallah.

An appropriate action that takes just a couple of minutes is to call the White House comment line, (202) 456-1111 and leave a message that you encourage the President to continue implementing the Road Map by taking necessary steps to stop Israel from building this "fence" on Palestinian land, including reducing financial aid to Israel.

You can also contact your member of Congress and ask them to support the Administration in implementing a fair and even-handed approach to the Road Map. For more background on the "fence" and actions taken at the national office through Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) visit the CMEP website at www.cmep.org.

Joe Sullivan, OFM 1927-2003
Former CMSM J/P Director Joe Sullivan, OFM, died July 14 in Boston, MA. Joe, a member of the Holy Name Province, was a long-time and tireless advocate for the poor and marginalized, especially for those on Latin America. Joe spent 15 years in Brazil (1957-1972) There he experienced the effects of a military government and the rule of the elites on the majorities in the country. He returned to the U.S. from Brazil in 1972 to care for his parents, but brought back with him a zeal for justice and liberation for the people of Latin America. In 1979 Joe became the JP Director of CMSM and was part of a dedicated and active group of people who built the solidarity movements, including the founding of the Religious Task for on Central America and Mexico. Joe also initiated the J/P Alert, which CMSM has published since then. Joe eventually returned to Brazil where he worked for another 15 years. In 1999 Joe returned to the U.S. where he worked for the newly established Franciscan Latin American Office. Joe will always be remembered for his defense of the poor and his dedication to working for those living under political and military oppression. Joe was essential to laying the foundation for the J/P Office and his legacy will continue as CMSM remains dedicated to working for justice for the people of Latin America. At Joe’s request, his body was cremated and his ashes returned to Brazil.

Stan De Boe, OSST
Editor

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