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April 26 Organizational Sign-on Letter delivered to Japanese Embassy in DC |
The following letter was deleivered with hundreds of individual letters to the Japanese Embassy on April 26, 2007, prior to Japanese Prime Minister Abe's visit with President Bush.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
c/o The Embassy of Japan
2025 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008
April 26, 2007
Dear Prime Minister Abe:
We write as faith-based organizations with deep concern over proposed changes to Japan’s constitution. Called by our various faith traditions to be peace-makers and renounce violence as a means of resolving conflict, we uphold Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan as a unique and powerful contribution to international peace and security. The prospect of its elimination not only greatly saddens us, but also makes us fear for regional stability and harmony.
We recognize that pressure is mounting from the US Administration for Japan to alter its Constitution to allow its military to be integrated into the US security strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. However, as citizens and people of faith, we believe that Article 9 provides a more effective and true path to peace and stability in the region than force of arms ever could. By renouncing war and aggressive use of military force, Japan has become a cornerstone for regional security. In the sixty years since the end of World War II, not a single person has died as a result of Japanese state aggression. If only the United States could claim such a record.
Furthermore, policy decisions made by Japan are not and cannot be made in isolation, but instead reverberate throughout the region and beyond. Japan, already perceived as an economic and military powerhouse, will find itself to be in the vortex of a shifting and suddenly more volatile world, as neighbors and even allies are forced to react to a resurgent Japanese military force. With Japan’s military no longer constitutionally constrained, there is a strong possibility that a regional arms race will ensue, as neighboring countries look to their own defenses.
Popular opinion in Japan does not support this change. Nor do our Japanese congregations and partners, our brothers and sisters in faith. Article 9 has become a source of pride and identity – an alternative path to peace and prosperity in a chaotic and dangerous world. We stand in solidarity with the people of Japan, as well as with those who live in militarized communities and under the threat of violence everywhere, and ask that you respect the integrity and commitment of Japan’s Peace Constitution and maintain Article 9. We will call on our country to do the same.
Sincerely,
Bishop Gabino Zavala, Bishop President
Pax Christi USA: The National Catholic Peace Movement
Auxiliary Bishop, Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles
Reverend Dr. Robert Edgar, General Secretary
National Council of Churches USA
Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Director
The Shalom Center
Ibrahim Abdil-Mu'id Ramey
Director, Human and Civil Rights Division
Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation
Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte and Rev. David Vargas
Co-Executives of Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. James E. Hug, SJ, President
Center of Concern
National Organizations and Religious Orders:
Columban Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office (USA)
Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM)
Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR)
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
Pax Christi USA: The National Catholic Peace Movement
Prioress Dorothy Jean Beyer, Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel
Benedictine Sisters of Ridgely, Maryland
Congregation of the Humility of Mary
Daughters of Charity, Province of the West
Daughters of Mary & Joseph
Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, Kansas
Dominican Sisters of San Rafael
Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Franciscan Justice and Peace Office, OFM Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Justice Committee of the Congregation of St. Joseph, Cleveland
Leadership Council Adrian Dominican Sisters
Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of O’Fallon, Missouri
Presentation Sisters, Dubuque, Iowa
Redemptorists / Denver Province
Religious Sisters of Charity
School Sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee Province
School Sisters of St. Francis, US Province
Servants of Mary of Omaha
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dubuque, Iowa
Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth
Sisters of the Holy Family
Sisters of Mercy, Burlingame, California
Sisters of Mercy, Detroit Regional Team
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Justice & Peace Network
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, California Province
Sisters of Providence Council
Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa
Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, Redwood City, California
Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet and Associates
Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania
Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita, Kansas
Sisters of St. Louis, California Region
Sisters of Social Service, Los Angeles
Ursuline Sisters (Roman Union), USA – West
In addition to this sign-on letter, 100 individual letters from U.S. and international religious communities will be delivered to the Japanese Embassy for Prime Minister Abe on April 26, 2007.
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