Our Response to Recent International Conflicts

We Benedictine sisters of Atchison, Kansas, are saddened and appalled by the recent violent military actions of our country. On Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, the annual day of honoring Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the US military bombed Nigeria, claiming to support the Christians in that country. Nine days later, on Epiphany, when we Christians celebrate all nations coming together in Christ, we awoke to images of Caracas, Venezuela, in flames caused by US forces’ unprovoked attacks. We do not believe these events are in the spirit or message of Jesus Christ or St. Benedict. Similarly, the attacks were at the expense of many innocent lives and were contrary to international and national laws.

We call upon Congress to promote nonviolence and dialogue rather than armed responses to perceived injustices.  We ask Congress to responsibly and courageously stand up to these illegal escalating activities. The motto of Benedictines worldwide is “PAX,” or “Peace.”  We are compelled to do our part in living gospel values and the Rule of St. Benedict to end the spread of violence and to pray for peace daily.