September 11, 2001
September 11, 2016
Dear Friends,
All of us at The Interfaith Peace Project are pausing on the Fifteenth Anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the Unites States and the peoples of the World to rededicate ourselves to the cause of peace.
As some powerful politician invite us to fear and hate under the guise of fear and patriotism, we hold true to the dream that America can be built on the solid foundation of her founding dream – liberty and justice for all.
We rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of peace based on Interfaith understanding and respect. We will continue to honor the diverse and rich spiritual heritage of humankind. We encourage all who support us to realize that adversity is the opportunity to practice what we believe in the ordinary affairs of life.
We rededicate ourselves to pursue justice for women and girls throughout the World. For it goes without saying, the way we honor and respect women is the key to what we think of the dignity of all peoples.
We rededicate ourselves to the seeking of shelter for those who are the victims of homelessness. We invite you to meet those who suffer from poverty as you walk down a street, drive in a car, or travel on public transportation. Oftentimes they have something to say we must hear. We will be blessed by their wisdom and courage.
We rededicate ourselves to those who are suffering, coping and striving from psychological difficulties. We invite you to honor their humanity, to see their dignity and work for their basic human rights.
We rededicate ourselves to pursuing justice and full human dignity for those who strive for the freedom to love in varied and diverse ways. We invite you to recognize the transforming power of love in the array of people you know and meet on a daily basis.
Interfaith Spiritual Practice is what happens whenever we seek to share our inner peace with others no matter what the circumstance. Today, on the Anniversary of 9/11, we remember all the victims of terrorism throughout the World. The remembrance of the atrocities of the past and the fact that such evil-doing continues only serves to invite us to seek our inner strength and peace. We refuse to be mastered by the violence around us. In a word, we will even love those who seek to harm us not as fools or victims but as people who uncompromising believe in liberty and justice for all.
Peacefully,
Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P.
and all of us at The Interfaith Peace Project
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