Iraq: Looking for Hope Amid Ashes

Q U I C K S C A N

What the war has wrought
And yet some signs of hope
Longing for peace

When President Bush decided to invade Iraq in March of 2003, I raised questions about his decision in this column (“St. Francis, the Sultan and the Quest for Peace”—March 28, 2003). I feared that going to war in Iraq would only escalate tensions between Christians and Muslims and feed the spread of terrorism. I felt that we as a nation should have spent more energy on nonviolent ways of resolving the situation and of seeking greater collaboration with the international community.

A key concern of mine was the historical symbolism of Christian troops invading the Islamic world. Such troops, I had been told by a Franciscan friar with roots in the Middle East, would be perceived by the Islamic world as “new Crusaders seeking to occupy Muslim lands.” Of course, we had already invaded Afghanistan, but that invasion was more understandable, being a clear response to the horrendous terrorist attacks of 9/11. The invasion of Iraq, however, had no such clarity and was, indeed, based on misleading evidence, which now the whole Muslim world, international community and even the majority of Americans have come to see for what it was.

What the war has wrought

Unfortunately, the invasion and occupation of Iraq in no way diminished the hatred and suspicion that many in the Muslim world hold toward the U.S.-led occupiers of their land. And this stands true despite the fact that the downfall of Saddam Hussein is appreciated by many. Instead our occupation in Iraq has led to a rapid increase and expansion of hatred, out-of-control violence, suicide bombings and destruction of infrastructure that has left Iraqis in misery to mourn their dead and severely maimed loved ones by the thousands and thousands.

In this country, too, we mourn our more than 2,100 sons and daughters who have courageously given their lives for the sake of their countrymen and the almost 16,000 wounded. We don’t question their courage, commitment and nobility. Rather we honor them and for those who died, prayerfully grieve them alongside their mourning parents, spouses and loved ones. What we question is whether our leaders were right in sending them.

It was not easy for those who spoke out against the war during the early months of that conflict. Opinion polls were highly favorable to the president’s actions in those days, and those who opposed the war were sometimes labeled “unpatriotic.” Now the tables have turned—with opinion polls showing a dramatic decline in popular approval of the war.

And yet some signs of hope

I do not wish my reflections simply to be a “parade of negatives.” Though mistakes and miscalculations have been made, some results of the war have been positive. The removal of Saddam Hussein and his dictatorial rule, for example, can certainly be seen as a plus. So can the democratic elections in Iraq last January and the ratification of a provisional constitution in October. The upcoming elections of December 15, 2005, for a permanent government will, we hope, be another sign of progress. And so despite widespread violence, bloodshed and death, we have seen movement toward a freer and more democratic future for the Iraqi people.

The training of an Iraqi army by the American and coalition forces is another sign of hope that, in time, could lead to the defeat of the insurgency and the nation’s stability being safeguarded by Iraqi forces. This could allow for the occupational forces to go home.

Also, some of the suicide bombings orchestrated by the terrorists have been so cruel and barbaric that they are turning people all around the world against them, including members of the Muslim community. Examples of such actions include the suicide bombing of a wedding party in Amman, Jordan, on November 9 and the vicious bombings of some 74 Shiite worshippers in two separate Iraqi mosques on November 18.

I’ve even heard commentators from the Islamic community pointing out that such killings of fellow Muslims could only be seen as “tactical errors” and “sins against Islam.” Such extreme actions, they said, would only weaken the cause of the terrorists and tarnish the name of Islam, which professes to worship a God of love and mercy.

Longing for peace

But, for whatever good we’ve done, this Franciscan can only hope for peace.

All people of good will can help the cause of peace by praying for peaceful and successful elections on December 15, so that a good team of Iraqi leaders will be chosen and lead the way to a more stable Iraq. More than this, let us do what we can to build up peace and understanding between nations and religions, so that some day the whole family of humanity can live together in peace.

For those of us who are Christian, we can focus on the coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace on Christmas Day. May he lead us all to that peaceful kingdom of love, which he came to establish over 2,000 years ago. For anyone wishing for daily meditations on the theme of peace for the season of Advent, I recommend that you click on the following series of reflections—“Longing for Peace.” Have a blessed Advent!

Friar Jim’s Inbox

Readers respond to Friar Jim’s “Catechism Quiz: Life After Death.”

Dear Friar Jim: Thank you for doing some newsletters on life after death, heaven and hell.  I always look forward to your newsletter.  This topic is something that I cannot discuss with my husband or son because they get angry with me.  I believe that when we die, we will be converted to perfection, where our prejudices and hatred will be no more.  I say that we will love everyone the same, just like God loves us all the same.  I say that we will know each other and know our family, but we will love everyone equally.  My husband and son say that they don’t want to be in my heaven because they want me to love them more than everyone else since families are special.  I would love to hear your views on this and if there is another way I can explain my belief without hurting those I love most. May God bless you. Beatriz

Dear Beatriz: Your ideas are right on target. I will have a column on heaven after the New Year, and your ideas are part of what I am going to talk about. Friar Jim

Dear Friar Jim: Your recent article intrigued me, as I have an acquaintance who lost a teenage son two years ago. He visits the highway memorial frequently, but refused to go to the Catholic funeral or the interment at a Catholic cemetery. He has yet to visit the grave of his son, but he grieves continuously. He is a "practicing" Catholic, yet seems stuck in his pain and loss. Please give me some insights I can share with him. Jim

Dear Jim: I would try to remind him that his son is always with him. His spirit that lives on is in his father's presence all of the time. I speak to my mom and dad every day of my life though both have died. Their bodies have died, not their souls. I am convinced they walk with me and intercede for me in my ministry as a priest. The man will grieve terribly, and two years of grieving may not be long for the loss of a father/son relationship. Friar Jim

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.

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