Dear Siena Community,
Innocent Israelis and Palestinians – too many of them children and young adults – are now enduring their third week of war. Jews and Muslims alike, who until October 7 were peacefully raising their families, pursuing educations and working to support their communities, are now simply trying to survive while grieving loved ones who were killed.
Sadly, this intense conflict is not the only global hotspot at this time. The ongoing war in Ukraine that escalated with Russia’s invasion in February 2022 shows no signs of abating. The military death toll alone is estimated to have surpassed half a million already, while civilian casualties number in the tens of thousands. Innocent people are trying to live their lives in cities marked by bombed-out homes, hospitals and schools.
Many of us at this time are feeling powerless and frustrated, wanting so much to do something to make a difference: to comfort those who grieve, to aid those who fight for freedom, to promote peace and justice. As an institution of higher education, and as a liberal arts college grounded in Catholic and Franciscan values, Siena is precisely positioned to make that very difference. As we commit ourselves through our mission, Siena educates its community “to make the world more just, peaceable and humane.” That is what we do, every day, as Saints.
Pope Francis has encouraged worldwide participation in a day of prayer and fasting for peace this Friday, October 27. Supported by the new nationwide Franciscan Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Siena College community is invited to attend a prayer service at 12 noon in the Chapel, followed by quiet prayer time and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Fr. Larry Hayes, OFM, the new Provincial of Our Lady of Guadalupe encourages us to “preserve one another’s lives, no matter the soil on which our feet land, and mourn over the soil of the graves where those who have died to violence rest… We pray that we may see people of every land and soil as our brothers and sisters, as our neighbors who we must love with all our hearts, souls, and minds.”
Prayer is only one of the ways the Siena community can help make a difference: events have taken place and continue to be organized that provide perspective and insight into these political and religious conflicts. The College will host the discussion “Even Wars Have Rules: International Humanitarian Law” on Nov. 1 at 5PM in RB202, led by Jerry DeFrancisco ’68, DPS, Siena’s distinguished executive in residence. Two Siena professors are heading up a drive to donate used laptops and funds for Ukrainian students. During the past months, members of the Siena community have hosted panel discussions, teach-ins, demonstrations and prayer services to address the conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, and will continue to do so on these and other topics.
It is part of our role and responsibility as individual members of a college community to examine, discuss, debate and write. To think critically, to educate and to be educated, then carry what we have discussed and learned out into the community, our country and our world.
I wish you – and our world – peace and all good.
Chuck