Speaker shares Catholic pacifist view on Iraq War
Maricor Coquia, Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: News
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Sophomore Courtney Certain said, "I'm excited. I want to see what she has to say."
Most attended Kelly's lecture because of her demonstration "Eyes Wide Open." The display took place on the Quad in front of West Hall last Wednesday and Thursday. Showcased were a number of soldiers and children's shoes lining the grass, representing the soldiers and children killed in Iraq.
Dr. Bryon Plumley, justice education coordinator, introduced Kelly, saying: "She is a peace activist for the long haul." He later added, "She's a woman who walks her talk."
Kelly has even been arrested many times in efforts to stop violence. In the middle of her talk, she admitted, "You know, I'm an ex-convict…I was arrested for planting corn on a nuclear missile field."
Kelly's presentation officially began this fall's Catholic Speaker Series, a line of community presentations geared at addressing current issues of faith and justice.
During her presentation, Kelly encouraged the Catholic community to gain courage from Jesus' teaching of "Be not afraid." She said: "We need to ask ourselves, 'Why can't I do more?'" Fear, Kelly answered, is the barrier to peace, and a stepping-stone for violence.
In particular, Kelly mentioned weapon accumulation as evidence of the fears of today's nations. "This fear has a vice-grip on our society," she said.
She further underlined the Catholic pacifist view, arguing for more ethical responsibility from the United States government. "What gets in our way?" she asked. "Taxes to pay for weapons." For Kelly, weapons make war inevitable. To stop war for good, she argued, all weapons need to be removed and weapon production stopped.
Having visited Iraq and Baghdad many times since the start of the Iraq War, Kelly shared personal encounters of families, particularly children, deeply wounded by the war.
She recounted the photo of a six-year old girl and her lifeless body pasted on the front pages of newspapers. "Is she a terrorist?" she asked of the audience.
Kelly continued to describe children who died by the sheer force of a bomb's impact. "On the outside, they appeared normal," she said. "But the force was so strong, their internal organs could not take it."
"The Catholic pacifist view," Kelly summarized, "is living a life of simplicity, service, and sharing." She encouraged the audience to embrace these qualities, and to believe strongly in an "inclusive community."
Kelly ended her presentation saying, "To stop the next war, we need to tell the truth of this war." As a reminder of the young lives lost to the current war, she sang the names of a few killed in Iraq, ranging in ages from three to 31 years old.
Many greeted Kelly with a standing ovation.
"She was unbeatable. What an inspiration," said attendee Dr. Mary Ogles. "I will definitely try to do more." Friend Theresa Egren added, "She was truly impressive."
Baghdad native Selwa Kellow had a different perspective however. "[Kelly] was an excellent speaker. She definitely knows her information. But, I have no hope. No hope that things will improve."
For most, nonetheless, Kelly had a lasting impact. "Her talk will carry with me," said Certain.
Plumley continued: "I feel challenged, but let's do it together." He added, "We need to act as a community to make positive social change."
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