National Religious Community Reacts to Thiessen's Thoughts on Torture

Washington, DC - Rev. Richard L. Killmer, the Executive Director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, an interfaith coalition representing more than 280 U.S. religious bodies, released the following statement today in response to recent claims by Marc Thiessen, former chief speechwriter to President George W. Bush who is now on the staff of the Washington Post, that Catholic teachings justify the use of torture:

"We are saddened that a public figure like Marc Thiessen has used the teachings of the Catholic faith to justify the use of torture.

The Catholic Church has been very clear about its opposition to torture. The teachings of the Church consider torture "intrinsically evil".

Dr. Stephen Colecchi, Director of the Office of International Justice and Peace for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote an article for America magazine which describes the Catholic position. Several articles describe the opposition of Catholic leaders to Thiessen's claims: an article by New York Times contributor, Mark Oppenheimer, lists various Catholic responses to Thiessen's position. A letter to the editor of the New York Times by Jesuit priest and Justice and Peace Director of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, Rev. T. Michael McNulty, describes the origins of the Catholic position."

These articles are available here.

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The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is a growing membership organization committed to ending U.S.-sponsored torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Since its formation in January 2006, more than 280 religious groups have joined NRCAT, including representatives from the Catholic, evangelical Christian, mainline Protestant, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Baha'i, Buddhist, and Sikh communities. Members include national denominations and faith groups, regional organizations and local congregations.