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The
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For Immediate Release Contacts: Tim Vining, Executive Director;
Molly Rush, Organizer Thomas Merton Center Issues Statement on U.S. Response to Terrorism and Calls for Mobilization of Membership and Pittsburgh Peace MovementThe Thomas Merton Center is hosting a public meeting on Sunday, September 23, 2001, 7:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Oakland (corner of Bellefield and Bayard). The purpose of the meeting is to mobilize The Merton Center membership and the larger peace movement in Pittsburgh to respond to the terrorist attack of September 11 and the expected retaliation by the United States government. “It is important that members of the Thomas Merton Center and the peace movement support one another during this time of violence, and recommit ourselves to work toward a vision of world peace based on justice and respect for all people,” according to Tim Vining, Executive Director of TMC. The Thomas Merton Center has also issued a public statement on the current crisis that expresses their concerns about possible U.S. military action in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11. The statement reads, “We oppose any retaliation by the U.S. government that threatens the lives of innocent civilians. To respond to an act of terrorism with another act of terrorism against innocents will do nothing to further the cause of justice. We must refuse to become what we fight against. We can deny the terrorists their victory by refusing to submit to a world of vengeance created in their image. It bears repeating that violence only begets more violence.” For more information about the Thomas Merton Center’s response to the current crisis or to get involved in the struggle for a just and peaceful world, call the Center at 412-361-3022 or you can visit them at 5125 Penn Avenue. ## |
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"I am against war, against violence, against violent
revolution, for peaceful settlement of differences, for nonviolent but
nevertheless radical changes. Change is needed, and violence will not
really change anything: at most it will only transfer power from one set
of bull-beaded authorities to another."
Thomas
Merton |
