Following is a speech delivered by Sr. Mary Grenough (Sr. Mayang to many
Filipino activists) at the December 31, 2003 Multi-sectoral, ecumenical
rally STAND FOR PEACE! A National Day of Prayer against War on Iraq. The
rally was held upon the invitation of Philippine Vice President Teofisto
Guingona, Jr. with the support of a broad network of anti-war groups and
personalities from the NGO community, the mass movement, the Catholic,
protestant and Evangelical churches, schools, the Muslim community,
national and local government units, including a representative of the
Catholic Diocese in Iraq as well as a personal representative of Manila
Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.
For
Jan 31 Prayer for Peace Rally
Good
afternoon to all.
I
stand here in Plaza Miranda, together with all of you, for PEACE. I stand
as a U.S. citizen who strongly disagrees with my own President George W.
Bush’s plans for a US war against the people and country of Iraq.
I
stand as a professed religious, a Maryknoll Sister, together with
Maryknoll Sisters serving in Asia, Africa, Central, North and South
America, for PEACE. I join millions of people here in the Philippines, in
the States and all over the world who pray – and work - for peace. My 35
years with you in the Philippines have taught me much.
Living
and working with you here, experiencing six Philippine Presidents and
being in touch with world politics convinces me that war will never bring
peace. War always kills and maims, destroys and poisons. In modern
warfare such as the US wants to wage, civilians - especially the poor and
middle class - suffer 90% of the pain, disease, death and destruction,
loss of land, homes, jobs. This war will further injure our already
damaged planet earth, the womb of all our lives and human history.
Of
course I am against Saddam Hussein developing and using weapons of mass
destruction. But why should a whole country and a whole people – and the
whole Middle East – be punished for this? And why would we think that a
war against Iraq would solve this problem?
I
stand against ANY nation or persons developing, keeping or using weapons
of mass destruction. And I say with deep shame that my own country’s
leaders are greatly to blame for developing, storing and using weapons of
mass destruction. The weapons industry is one of my country’s biggest
businesses. And I am ashamed to say my own country’s political leaders
used weapons of mass destruction - atomic bombs - on civilian targets not
only once but twice. The atom bombs dropped on the city of Hiroshima
killed 78,000 people – and in the city of Nagasaki, 74,000. US warplanes
also firebombed Tokyo City in 1945, killing 100,000 people – almost all
were civilians. Right here in Manila at the end of World War II, the
massive destruction and killing of tens of thousands of Filipinos in the
so-called “Liberation of Manila” was caused mostly by US bombs.
This
is why I do not trust my own government at this time to take the role
“peace-maker” or “protector of democracy.” I have lived too long and
become personally acquainted with the wars and undemocratic politics of my
own country - to believe President Bush when he claims to be protecting
democracy and liberating other countries. I know how the US supports wars
against the peoples of so many countries who are struggling for their
basic rights - including in the Philippines.
To
pray for peace we must work for peace. Let us pray and work for true
peace, a peace based on justice, respect for ethnic, religious and
ideological differences, where no country is “#1” and all countries become
mutually responsible for each others’ well-being and protection of our
planet earth – its waters, soil, air, forests, plants, all creatures.
To
pray and work for peace requires of each of us to learn the truth – not to
rely on what the TV, radio and politicians tell us. Prayer and work for
peace requires that we practice true justice and respect for each other -
in our families, schools, work places, organizations, and governments at
all levels.
The
meaning of democracy is a government by, with and for the people – a
government which respects and protects truth, human rights, natural
resources and always governs for the common good. A democratic government
assures that its citizens are adequately fed, sheltered, educated. A
democratic government protects women’s rights, children’s rights, workers’
rights. This includes health care and opportunities for employment which
is decent, life-giving, and capable of supporting the worker and his or
her family’s basic needs.
Let us
re-commit ourselves to work for peace as we pray:
O
loving God, you are known by many names, we acknowledge you as our Creator
and Sustainer. You have given us all we are, our bodies and minds, our
planet earth. You entrust us with decisions which become in fact choices
for life or for death. Enlighten and strengthen us at this time to make
decisions for life. Give us the insights to know the truth and to risk our
own reputations, safety and personal interests if needed, to unite with
peoples throughout the Philippines and throughout the world, to work
together for genuine peace.
At
this crucial time, we join our voices, our prayer, our actions to the
millions throughout the world including in the US, who stand for PEACE,
who refuse to support the US war against Iraq in any way. We pray, too,
that the issues underlying the ongoing wars in the Philippines can be
recognized and dealt with, so that our scarce resources can be re-directed
to supporting life for the Filipino people and helping to restore its
endangered seas, poisoned waters and soil, and dangerously polluted air.
All knowing God, help us to help ourselves and each other to nurture life,
to create peace.
