Submitted by Marita, Jun 19, 2007 13:36

While I value Prof. Stern's work in understanding the roots of terrorism and her contribution to peace-making, she is not truthful to say that Catholic priests "don't step up to condemn" abortion doctors. The United States Conference of Catholic bishops has publicly condemned these acts of violence in its 2001 Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities: "we abhor and condemn such violence unequivocally."

From the pews I have heard rank and file parish priests condemn such violence, but I have never heard a priest or bishop in a homily encourage suicide bombing or anything suggesting that we harm those with whom we disagree. The Pope publicly spoke out against the US going to war with Iraq. In the Mass' prayer of the Faithful, priests and lay people weekly pray for an end to wars and violence around the world, specifically mentioning places like Darfur, Lebanon, Somalia, "an end to the war in Iraq."
I known Prof. Stern wants us all (from whatever religious persuasion) to speak out against violence, and with that, I agree; but putting Catholic priests in the same league as Muslim clerics who fail to condemn the suicide bombings is a huge stretch of her imagination - not good research.

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