[CCCB translation]

The Right Honourable Jean Chrétien
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Building
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

You recently received a letter from the Canadian Council of Churches signed by the major Church leaders in Canada, including myself, urging the Government of Canada to find a peaceful resolution to the present tensions and situation in Iraq. In this spirit, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, in their Plenary Assembly at Cornwall, 17-22 October 2002, considered this important question and unanimously accepted the following resolution:

That the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, in solidarity with Canadian religious leaders, reaffirm with the Prime Minister of Canada that a non-military, peace-building approach on Iraq remains not only thinkable but possible. Furthermore, that the CCCB, following the action of the Canadian Council of Churches, urge the Government of Canada to continue to work toward a fruitful, peace-building approach to the problem of Iraq that is consistent with international law and takes the common good of the people of Iraq as its starting point.

Mr. Prime Minister, I wish to encourage you in renewing your efforts with the international community in order that peace be preserved and an effective way be found for a creative and fruitful dialogue leading to a peaceful solution.

Be assured, Mr. Prime Minister, of our prayers and solidarity.

+ Jacques Berthelet, C.S.V.
Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil
President
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops