Bishop Nienstedt releases statement to pastoral leaders of diocese on attacks/war

New Ulm - In a statement to parish leaders, Bishop John C. Nienstedt called for prayer, prudence, and forgiveness upon learning of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, New York, and the U.S. Pentagon building in Washington D.C.

He wrote, "Like so many of you, I am shocked and overwhelmed by the terrorist attacks on our country today. I urge you to ask our people to pray for those who have been killed or maimed. I encourage all of us to pray for the ability to forgive the perpetrators. I ask that we especially pray for our national leaders that they maintain a sense of calm and prudence as they judge how to respond to this situation.

I ask that all pastoral leaders gather parishioners and school communities together for collective prayer. Please know of my support and solidarity with you in this moment of great sadness for our country and the world."

In a statement released on October 9, Bishop Nienstedt commented on the U.S. military response to the attacks: "The military response of our government and Great Britain in Afghanistan is understandable in light of the terrorist attacks of September 11. Our prayers go out to the members of the armed forces who have been engaged as well as their loved ones who bear the burden of risk. At the same time, our Catholic teaching has always tempered a ‘just cause’ for self defense with a prudent sense of proportionality and the intention, even in the midst of conflict, to restore peace with justice. Our Catholic ‘Just War’ teaching forbids acts of vengeance and the indiscriminate use of violence.

I believe that we have an opportunity in this moment to teach God’s people the truths that are derived from our Catholic tradition and to console them with the hope that life is more compelling than death and love is more powerful than revenge."