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	Here is the text of the Conference Statement by the Executive Board of NCSC. PREAMBLE Following our fall National Team meeting (September 26-29) in Sandbridge, Virginia, we, the Executive Board of the National Catholic Student Coalition (NCSC), and proud members of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS), with concern and love for our global community: 1) Wish to express our deep desire for peace in the world. 2) Re-affirm our commitment to participate actively in the Roman Catholic Church and renew our dedication to the International Movement of Catholic Students of Pax Romana. 3) Stand against any attack on or threat to the dignity and inherent worth of all human life. 4) Remain saddened by the lives lost in the past year, especially those who died on September 11, 2001, and those innocent people who were killed in the efforts to combat terrorism. 5) Reaffirm our commitment, based on the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching, to work for peace and justice. 6) Recognize the NCSC’s 2002 theme of Solidarity, especially the sub theme of Solidarity for Peace. 7) Acknowledge that true Solidarity, as expressed by Pope John Paul II in Sollicltudo Rei Socialis (1987), calls us to recognize our interdependence with all people around the world and to “take on the specifically Christian dimension of total gratuity, forgiveness and reconciliation” (#40). 8) Are alarmed by the amount of violence in the world and the lack of attempt to solve problems by peaceful solutions. 9) Recognize that the name Pax Romana, given to the International Movement of Catholic Student by Pope Benedict XV In 1921, was a result of his hope in Catholic University Students to build a just and peaceful world. 10) Welcome the recent letter of Bishop Wllton Gregory of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to President Bush (September 13, 2002), Raising concerns about a preemptive strike against Iraq. WE MAKE OUR APPEAL TO: I All students, to: 1) Keep aware of developments in international Issues, 2) Work for peace in their campus communities, by organizing events and discussions on peace, Catholic Social Teaching, and international issues, 3) Join or collaborate with organizations that work for peace and international solidarity, including the NCSC, the US member of the International Movement of Catholic Students of Pax Romana, 4) Work to keep issues and concerns of justice and peace continually in the campus consciousness, II Campus Ministries, to: 1) Empower students to organize events on issues of peace and justice, 2) Educate the campus community about Catholic Social Teaching relating to peace issues, 3) Encourage students to get involved in organizations that work for peace, justice, and solidarity, 4) Make available to students materials concerning Conscientious Objection, 5) Encourage critical reflection on international issues, based on Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching, III The Catholic Church, to: 1) Continue to be a voice of peace and justice at the international, national, and local levels, 2) Continue to empower and educate all the laity, especially youth, to work for peace and justice, 3) Educate Church officials and the laity on the criteria of the Catholic Just War Theory and other Catholic Social Teaching Issues, 4) Continue to work with other Christian denominations and other religious traditions to build peace, IV The United States Government, to: 1) Consider all possible peaceful paths before resorting to war and violence, 2) Make every effort to reduce the loss of Innocent life and to follow the principals of the Just War Theory, 3) Ensure that the human rights of all people, as detailed in international human rights and humanitarian law, are respected — even during war, 4) Ensure that commercial, economic, and political interests are not primary motivations for going to war, 5) Work within the international organizations that foster international solidarity, especially the United Nations, 6) Not use any nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, including “mini-flukes” and depleted uranium, which have detrimental effects on the lives of innocent people and on the environment, V Civil Society, to: 1) Work to build true solidarity between people of different countries, cultures, and faith traditions, 2) Be truly civil and work to curb violent tendencies and reactions, and explore peaceful solutions to settling disagreements, 3) Be an example of peace, justice, love, and respect to future generations, VI The media, to: I) Report news, on war and other international Issues, accurately and fairly, without biases, 2) Become an active participant in building a Culture of Peace, by promoting programs that encourage people to solve their problems through peaceful means and not resort to violence, 3) Avoid the possibility of encouraging racist or xenophobic thought, by showing the positive values in all cultures, WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO: 1) Pray continually and sincerely for world peace, with unshakeable faith in our Lord, 2) Continue to stand firmly against hatred, injustice and violence, wherever we encounter it, 3) Bring the spirit of peace and the light of Christ’s unending love to all whom we encounter, 4) Resist the temptation to get caught up in a mob mentality of angry retaliation, but to examine and voice peaceful alternatives, 5) Remember those who have died, and work for peace and justice in their honor. \| YOUTH \| Young Catholic Leaders \| \| Return Home \| About Us \| What's New \| Urgent Action \| Getting Involved \| Great Links \| Current Newsletter \| Articles \| Contact Us \|