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WASHINGTON (March 19, 2003) -- Expressing my deep regret that war had not been averted, and calling for prayer and solidarity, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops today issued a statement on the likely war with Iraq.

"Our nation is on the brink of war. We worked and prayed and hoped that war would be avoided," said Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville (IL). "The task now is to work and pray and hope that war's deadly consequences will be limited, that civilian life will be protected, that weapons of mass destruction will be eliminated, and that the people of Iraq will soon enjoy a peace with freedom and justice."

After issuing his statement, Bishop Gregory was set to preside at a Mass on the Feast of St. Joseph and to pray for peace in a time of war at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The 60 members of the USCCB Administrative Committee, meeting here this week, will concelebrate.

Bishop Gregory's statement, which is based on a framework adopted this morning by the Administrative Committee meeting here today, addressed several concerns: