Since 1972, Pax Christi USA has tried “to faithfully bring the message of the gospel to bear on what was happening in the world by reading the signs of the times,” according to their own history. While its origin is Catholic, anyone can affiliate.
They have lobbied for racial justice, farmworkers rights and anti-nuclear buildup among many other issues of social justice. Reducing military spending has also been a priority but usually by lobbying elected members of Congress under its Bread Not Stones campaign.
That program resurfaced recently with a twist, according to Thomas Cordaro, a former member of the national council.
While the group would still like to “redirect bombs to feed human needs,” he said, they are lobbying Catholic bishops in addition to elected officials.
“Bishops are primarily teachers,” Cordaro said, and he believes they can change minds and hearts in their own dioceses.
Among the 10,000 Pax Christi members in the country, people from 90 dioceses were asked to write to their diocesan bishop to persuade him to sign a statement that read in part: “The growing gap between the rich and the poor is compounded by a growing gap between our nation’s spending on weapons and preparations for war and our commitment to end poverty.”
It went to state how food pantries, Catholic Charities and other religiously sponsored organizations are being tapped financially.
“The U.S. federal budget is a moral document that identifies what we value,” the statement also read. “We cannot remain silent while our nation squanders hundreds of billions of dollars every year on weapon systems that add little to our nation’s national security while neglecting the poor and marginalized in our dioceses and around the world.”
To date, 19 bishops have signed on to the statement including two cardinals — Joseph Tobin, head of the Archdiocese of Newark and the only one on the entire East Coast, and Robert McElroy of San Diego.
In an e-mail interview, Tobin told me: “The poor of this nation pay a heavy price for the disproportionate spending on arms. I hope that the statement might provoke a thoughtful conversation among citizens.”
Asked if obtaining the support of only 19 was a disappointment, Tobin said, “My responsibility is to teach the truth of the Gospel, to carry a message that may be welcomed or rejected because people are free.”
Support for the document is open-ended and bishops may still sign on.
Bishop John Stowe, from Lexington, Kentucky, also replied to my e-mail request. He is the Bishop President of Pax Christi USA.
“The campaign calls attention to the continuous increase in funding for weapons while ignoring basic human needs in our country,” he said.
Commenting on the 19 who signed, Stowe added, “Hundreds of Pax Christi members sought meetings with and/or wrote to their bishops about the need for this” statement.
Take the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth in Morris County’s Convent Station, known for their peace advocacy since Vatican II. They wrote to Paterson Bishop Kevin Sweeney.
“As you know, (our sisters) have ministered in the parts of New Jersey that became the Paterson Diocese since 1859,” Sister Roberta Feil and 35 other Charities wrote in urging Sweeney to sign. “Our Paterson Diocese is an area of drastic contrasts; we are home to some of the most affluent communities in New Jersey and to two of the poorest cities, Paterson, and Passaic.” the Charities noted.
She stated how charity alone is insufficient without systemic change.
“We recognize, however, that works of charity will not address the systemic sources of injustice, one of which is the incredible sums of money our government dedicates to war and preparations for war,” the Charities wrote.
Sweeney has not yet signed on but said he is considering it.
“It would have been nice to have more,” said Cordaro. “It is anonymity of silence.”
But not in New Jersey, which has about 1,000 Pax Christi members, said Kathy O’Leary, its coordinator for 15 years. She said membership is strong on the East Coast and in Texas and California. She credits the group with ending the death penalty in the state and raising the awareness of local I.C.E. detention conditions, especially in Elizabeth. They also worked to convince Hudson County to end housing migrants in the county correctional center in Kearny.
O’Leary founded a local Pax Christi chapter in Summit 20 years ago.
“I think it’s really important as a faith-based organization to change lives – hearts and minds,” she said.
The Rev. Eugene Squeo, former pastor of St. Patrick’s in Jersey City, a lawyer and a member of the Pax Christi New Jersey state council, was among those asking Tobin to sign.
“We believe that is it crucial for people of faith, as well as our religious leaders, to express a clear moral vision about the things that make for genuine peace and security for our nation and our world,” Squeo wrote in his letter to Tobin.
Tobin is the most prominent member of the U.S. hierarchy to sign on and he is the closest to Pope Francis, who is strong on this matter.
Tobin said, “The more bishops that support an economy that favors life, the better.” For him success is, “A robust and thoughtful debate would be a good starting point.”
Let the debate begin. And, by the way, don’t count out the clout of the Charities.
The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Email: padrealex@yahoo.com; X: @padrehoboken.
