We offer the following information for use in your parishes, schools, and your family.

 

 "And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him." -- 2 Corinthians 5, 18 -21

             

 

Section One: What is the Catholic Stance on War with Iraq?

 

Papal Prayers for Peace

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/peace/prayer-peace_index.html

 

Pope Prays for World to Avert War in Iraq

http://www.americancatholic.org/News/JustWar/Iraq/default.asp#Background

 

**Bishop's Conference

http://www.nccbuscc.org/bishops/iraq.htm

 

Resources for Parishes produced by the USCCB

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/peace/index.htm

 

Church's Teaching on War and Peace

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/harvestexr.htm

 

Letter to President Bush on Iraq by Bishop Wilton D. Gregory
September 13, 2002

http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/bush902.htm

 

St. Anthony's Messenger Article: The Iraqi Church Cries Out

http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Feb2000/feature2.asp

 

Just War Theory

http://www.americancatholic.org/News/JustWar/justwar.asp

 

Booklet Summarizing Catholic Position

http://www.osjspm.org/iraq.pdf

 

Our Sunday Visitor Brochure (can be ordered at minimal charge) about Just War Theory and the Catholic Position on War with Iraq 

http://www.osvpublishing.com/whatthechurchteaches/justwar/index.asp

 

A Just War in a Time of Terrorism: A Franciscan Perspective

http://www.fi-na.org/page1.html

 

Section Two: Are there any Lesson Plans/ Resources for use in a classroom or youth ministry setting?

 

** Disciples Now - Wonderful Links and Information summaries geared towards teenagers

http://www.disciplesnow.com/catholic/static/article503.html

 

**St. Mary's Press Prayers, Lesson Plans Pastoral Guides

http://www.smp.org/tragedy/Issues.cfm

 

NFCYM - Resources on the War in Iraq

http://www.nfcym.org/v3/resources/iraq.html\

 

Bishops Conference Resources for Lesson Plans on Peace

http://www.nccbuscc.org/publishing/9-11/teens.htm

 

Channel One News -

A news site for children that provides the latest updates on the possible war with Iraq and other top stories. (Not Catholic)

http://www.channelonenews.com/

 

Christian Brother's Conference

Lesson Plans on Peace and Justice can be adapted for Elementary as well as Secondary

http://www.cbconf.org/cbc.nsf/pages/4kidsles1

 

Section Three: How do I talk to the children/ teenagers in my life about war, violence and terrorism?

 

**Guides for Teachers and Parents (In Spanish and English) Talking to Children about War   Highly Recommended - Excellent Downloadable Resources /Developmental Guidelines

http://www.nccev.org/violence/children_terrorism.htm

 

**PBS - Highly recommended - especially for Parents of children in Elementary School

 - http://www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/war/

 

Family Education - Talking to Children About War

http://www.familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,1-4412,00.html

 

American Association of Pediatrics

AAP offers information regarding bio-terrorism, disasters, and terrorists attacks. It offers advice on how to communicate with children concerning these issues.

http://www.aap.org/terrorism/index.html

 

American Psychological Association

http://www.apa.org/practice/ptindex.html

 

Section Four: How can parents respond to the impact of the media on children during the broadcast of a tragedy?

Discussing the News with 3- to 7-Year-Olds: What to Do?
http://www.naeyc.org/resources/eyly/1998/22.htm

Media Violence and Young Children
http://npin.org/library/pre1998/n00154/n00154.html

More Chills than Thrills: Protecting Children from Frightening Mass Media
http://npin.org/pnews/1999/pnew599/int599e.html

Talking with Your Children about the News
http://www.talkingwithkids.org/television/twk-news.html

 

A very special thanks to Kristen Witte from the Office of Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, who compiled this list.