Fr. Mark Padrez, OP, executive director of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, issued a statement this month about the growing tensions between the United States and Iran:
“As tensions between the United States and Iran grow, this is a time of intense prayer for our world leaders, and of deep reflection, especially in this Christmas season, on the Prince of Peace.
“We are committed to continue to pray, advocate, and teach the way of peace. As men religious dedicated to living out the Gospel, we do not believe that violence is a deterrent to violence.
“Rather, we call for our leaders to model nonviolent engagement. As Pope Francis has reminded us in the past: ‘Peacemaking calls for courage, much more so than warfare.’ “