HEART-BREAKING
DECEMBER 16, 2014
“I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us. Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this. I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts and stand united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are commendable. I, along with millions of others around the world, mourn these children, my brothers and sisters – but we will never be defeated.”
Malala Yousafzai
17-year old
Shot by the Taliban in 2011
Advocate for the right of girls to an education
Awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 2014
Dear Friends,
The cruelty born from self-righteousness seems to have no limits. Innocent children have long been the victims of unjust systems of government, religion, and warfare. Violence against children stirs our hearts, challenging us to confront what we often ignore.
The senseless and cruel execution and murder of the Pakistani children on
December 16th is the latest example of a self-righteousness that simply ignores common decency and human dignity. The Taliban claims religious authority but its sense of morality and justice reveals it to be no less than a barbaric movement that would murder children for some vague sense of revenge. Our broken hearts rage. Revenge is not the answer. We must not imitate what we abhor.
The unnecessary violence against children in Pakistan gives us pause to reflect on the welfare of children everywhere. In our own Nation, children are the victims of gun violence, assault, trafficking, and poverty. We must take account of how we treat our children. We must embrace them with the practical love of justice and fairness. We must recognize the full human rights of children to live in safety, peace, and love.
Our children and the children of the World, must no longer be the victims of violence born of self-righteousness, consumerism, and heartless interpretations of religion.
Our broken-hearts bond with the families and people of Pakistan who mourn the loss of their children. We are deeply touched by the Pakistani father who said of his murdered son, “My son was my dream, and my dream is dead.” May the nightmare soon end.
Peacefully,
Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.
And the Board of Directors
The Interfaith Peace Project
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