Ash Wednesday 2008
personal sin requires personal repentance and reconciliation
public sin (the US terrorization of Iraq and Afghaninistan, for example)
requires that the crime be publically named and resisted

Washington D.C. Gathering at the Cathedral of St. Matthew and processing to the White House for a Liturgy of Repentance

Blessed Franz Jagerstatter, Martyred War Resister, Pray for us. We are in front of the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington D.C. on Ash Wednesday. Franz Jagerstatter was an Austrian Catholic who refused to fight in Hitler's army, and was consequently beheaded.

War is Always a Defeat For Humanity-John Paul II

In front of St. Mathew's Cathedral: You can't serve God and Empire

"Either Jesus was a liar, or war is never necessary" -Ben Salmon. We are standing in front of the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington DC.

Coming out of Mass with ashes on their faces,
some aren't ready to look at our banners, or take a leaflet.
Living in this criminal Empire, it's hard to see through the darkness.

War is not the Answer.

The illegal occupation of Iraq is a War Crime and a Sin.

Walking to the White House from the Cathedral of St. Matthew.

Walking from the Cathedral to the White House.

At the White House we pray for justice and peace. There were people from the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Little Flower Catholic Worker, Catholics United, Pax Christi, Witness for Peace Jonah House and other groups too many to mention.

Blessing the ashes during the Litugy of Repentance.

Jesus would never join the military

Putting ashes on the ground in front of the White House during the Liturgy of Repentance.