Bishop Pates To National Security Advisor: Negotiations Essential To Preventing Military Conflict With Iran

WASHINGTON—"Boldsteps" are necessary to counter the "unfortunate and continually rising tide ofaggressive posturing" between the United States and Iran, said the chairman ofthe U.S. bishops' Committee on International Justice and Peace in a letter to NationalSecurity Advisor Thomas E. Donilon. Such steps would include negotiations,inspections by the international community and allowing Iran to enrich uranium"convincingly short of weapons-grade potential as confirmed by verifiableinspections" and"in compliancewith international norms."

"A diplomatic solution is preferableto military action which could have unpredictable and dramatic repercussionsfor the region," wrote Bishop Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, December18. "Such a solution would be highly advantageous to all and should be pursuedwith good faith and vigor. With this in mind, we urge immediate initiation ofdirect U.S.-Iran negotiations. The stakes are too high and the threats to humanlife too great to do less."

Bishop Pates argued against apreventive military strike on Iran's uranium enrichment facilities, saying sucha move would "lead to broader armed conflict that would likely engulf much ofthe Middle East." He added that the Catholic Church does not condone wagingpreventive war without clear proof that an attack is imminent.

Bishop Pates noted that last yearPope Benedict XVI called for "dialogue" and "joint solutions" regarding Iran.

The full text of the letter isavailable online: : www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/global-issues/middle-east/iran/upload/2012-12-Letter-on-Iran.pdf

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Keywords:Bishop Richard E. Pates, Committee on International Justice and Peace, U.S.Conference of Catholic Bishops, U.S. bishops, USCCB, Iran, nuclear program, NationalSecurity Advisor, Thomas E. Donilon

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