Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Excerpt from Statement of the Franciscan Friars, Province of Saint Barbara

Regarding the sentencing of Father Louis Vitale, OFM

Striving to be a true follower of Saint Francis of Assisi throughout his 48 years as a Franciscan friar, Father Louie has been dedicated to peace, justice and the well-being of creation. In a world that suffers from violence and war, Father Louie has often engaged in acts of nonviolent civil disobedience to promote these causes.

Father Louie's nonviolent actions are motivated by the deep spiritual conviction that peace, justice and mercy are mandates of Christ, and such actions have a long and respected history in Christianity and many other religious traditions. (Read complete statement here)


October 24, 2007
Excerpt from Letter of Provincial, California Province, Society of Jesus

Guided by the Gospel mandate of peace and nonviolence, as well as the Ignatian commitment to a faith that does justice, Steve is no stranger to being imprisoned for speaking and acting out against institutions and mechanisms of violence. Steve's prophetic witness against nuclear proliferation and war-making speaks a Christ-like love for peace--a voice all too often drowned out and actively suppressed by the cultural and political powers that support violence and war. His incarceration provides a powerful point of reference for contemplating the truth of Holocaust historian Yehuda Bauer's famous line: "Thou shall not be a victim. Thou shall not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shall not be a bystander." (Read complete letter here)