Provencher discusses experiences in Iraq
By Melanie Becker
News Writer
In order to bring a more realistic vision of Iraq to the Saint Mary's Community, Jan Pilarski, coordinator of the Justice Education Department, contacted Sheila Provencher, who recently spent two weeks in Iraq to share her experiences.
"Sheila is going to give faces to those who war would affect most deeply and profoundly," said Cindy Mongrain of Campus Ministry.
Provencher described the land of Iraq, the daily life since the Gulf War and the effects of sanctions.
"This is an ancient land of arid beauty. In many ways, it is just a normal place. Normalcy and threat of war tango in Baghdad," Provencher said.
According to Provencher, the Gulf War never ended but became an economic war that targets the most vulnerable members of Iraqi society, such as women, children and the elderly.
Mal-nourishment, disease and high infant mortality plague Iraqis. Fifty percent of rural people do not have access to clean water and electricity and in urban areas, electricity is only available for eight to 10 hours a day. This means that incubators, heart machines and other hospital equipment are not available to those who need it. The rate of child mortality in the last 12 years in Iraq is equivalent to one World Trade Center attack every three weeks, Provencher added.
Provencher quoted an Iraqi Sister Bushra Gaggi, director of Hyatt Maternity Hospital, saying, "`maybe if Bush could see my tears, he would not bomb us.'"
Provencher said that it is important to acknowledge that Iraq is a dictatorship that the Iraqis live in fear, but that the United States is not going about solving the problem in the right way.
"We should not put them in danger with weapons and sanctions. The only hope for Iraq is internal change. We need to help by strengthening them," Provencher said.
Provencher suggested alternatives such as signing the U.S. onto the international crimes court, have Saddam Hussein tried, empower the people of Iraq through education and release the sanctions. Provencher asked the audience to take a stand by writing government representatives, praying and fasting.
"Rather then being paralyzed by the situation with Iraq we can be motivated. They are dancing in the darkness." Provencher said.
Provencher was invited to a two-week Iraq Peace Journey by the U.S. Religious Leaders Delegation, which took place from Dec. 8 to Dec. 22, 2002. Provencher holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and received a master's of divinity in 2001 from Notre Dame.
The event was cosponsored by Campus Ministry, the Center for Women's Intercultural Leadership, the Holy Cross international justice office, Peacemakers and the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
All News Stories for Thursday, February 13, 2003
