The Congregational Leadership Team received the Chapter Mandate to Request our Political Leaders to end the war in Iraq. The letter below was sent to President George W. Bush; The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House; The Honorable Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader; and the two Senators from Missouri, Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, comprised of approximately 1,600 sisters, held their Congregational Chapter on July 12 -26, 2007 in St. Paul, Minnesota. When in session the Chapter exercises the highest authority in the Congregation. The Chapter passed a unanimous resolution:That the Congregational Leadership Team call for President Bush and Congress to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home.

On behalf of our Chapter delegation from the Provinces of Albany, Los Angeles, St. Louis and St. Paul and from the Vice Provinces of Hawaii, Japan and Peru, The Congregational Leadership team strongly exhorts you to withdraw our troops from Iraq. This definitive action will stop the killing and maiming of our troops, innocent Iraqi civilians, the destruction of the infrastructure, and the assault on the environment—all victims of this senseless, pre-emptive war.

Current strategies are obviously not working. We urge you to stop the bipartisan bickering. We encourage you to exercise political diplomacy in promoting justice and peace in Iraq.

These are very difficult and challenging times that demand collaboration--with our allies and perceived enemies--courage, wisdom and faith.We hold you, the Iraqi people, our troops and their families in our prayers daily.God bless America.God bless our global community.

Sincerely,

The Congregational Leadership Team