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The Approval of Iraq's Constitution: What Does It Mean in the Middle East and What Does It Say about Our Own Constitution?

Despite insurgent attacks and a temporary blackout, 6,100 polling centers throughout Iraq opened their doors on time on voting day. The nationwide referendum was held on October 15. The limited disruptions had little effect on voter turnout. In fact, electoral officials have indicated that more than 63 percent of the 15.5 million registered voters in Iraq took part in the constitutional referendum. Ten days after the constitutional vote, Iraqi election officials announced the new constitution was approved by voters.

The new constitution is a significant step toward creating Iraq's full independence. It is paving the way for a new round of elections on December 15 for a permanent government. It is a time of great hope because many Iraqis are now throwing their full support behind the political process of democracy and renouncing bloody violence.

Iraq's constitutional vote is also a vivid reminder that democracy is not an easy thing to achieve. The Iraqi people made tremendous sacrifices to reach a consensus on their constitution. As we watched the constitutional process unfold in Iraq, it is logical and appropriate to remember some valuable lessons in U.S. history. We had trouble and disputes at our own constitutional convention. Writing a constitution took a lot of work and the willingness of our Founding Fathers to courageously stand up for the common good and for a free and democratic country.

American Independence and Democracy

In the past several years several best-selling biographies of our Founding Fathers have helped us understand who we are as a country. Whether we are reading a newly researched biography of John Adams or Thomas Jefferson or Benjamin Franklin or James Madison or Alexander Hamilton or George Washington, we cannot overlook the fact that they had sharp differences over various political matters. However, they also shared a common vision. They knew they wanted the U.S. to be a free and democratic country.

Equally informative and impressive are the recent biographies of our Founding Mothers. While much has been written about the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, battled the British, and framed the Constitution, the wives they left behind are often forgotten by historians. That omission has been corrected over recent years. We now have personal correspondence, journals, and surprising stories of exemplary women such as Abigail Adams, Martha Washington, Dolley Madison, and Betsy Ross. Their unique gifts of courage, energy, and humor made it possible for their husbands to form a new and free country.

The biographies of our Founding Fathers and Founding Mothers impress upon us that American independence and the year 1776 in particular saw many difficult moments and setbacks. Author and noted historian David McCullough points out that this was as very dark time. "The war was longer, far more arduous, and a more painful struggle than later generations would understand and sufficiently appreciate. By the time it ended, it had taken the lives of an estimated 25,000 Americans, or roughly one percent of the population. In percentage of lives lost, it was the most costly war in American history, except for the Civil War. The year 1776, celebrated as the birth year of the nation and for the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was for those who carried the fight for independence forward, a year of all-too few victories, of sustained suffering, disease, hunger, desertion, cowardice, disillusionment, defeat, terrible discouragement, and fear."
-from 1776 (Simon & Schuster, 2005)

The Cry for Freedom Is Universal

New constitutions are a booming trend. They represent the voice of political minorities, ethnic people, and subjugated people. They give vivid testimony that people in various parts of the world suffer terrible imprisonments, torture, and hunger. They provide invincible hope for attaining freedom without using violence.

The approval of Iraq's new federal constitution marks an epic event for Iraq and for the world. There have been about 100 federal constitutions that have been created or rewritten since 1980. In plain language, new federal constitutions are a symbol of political legitimacy. The people are proudly saying they want an end to violence and bloody divisions. They prefer to vote with their feet and march toward the kind of country that gives them freedom and independence. For more online information on recent national constitutions that have been approved in various countries go to http://confinder.richmond.edu. What we learn on this website is the powerful lesson of history: confidence in and hope for the future. This is what transports us across centuries of worldwide political struggles and connects us with the timeless ideals of freedom and justice.

The Church's Social Teachings on Basic Human Rights

Pope John XXIII issued the social encyclical "Peace on Earth (Pacem in Terris) in 1963. It is now 42 years old and can easily be the headline story in today's newspapers and TV news programs. "Peace on Earth" is called a social encyclical because it addresses the timeless issues such as freedom, social justice, peace, human rights, solidarity, and the common good. More particularly, "Peace on Earth" gives a systematic presentation of basic human rights such as:

• The Right to Life. This includes suitable means for the proper development of life, which primarily are food, clothing, shelter, rest, medical care, and necessary social services.
• The Right to Worship God. This is the basic duty to honor God according to the sincere dictates on one's conscience.
• The Right to Choose Freely One's State of Life. Human beings have the right to choose the state of life they prefer along with the prior right for the education of their children.
• Economic Rights. The natural law gives humans the opportunity to work and go about their work without coercion.
• The Right of Meeting and Association. Every human being is by nature social, which implies the right of assembly and association.
• Political Rights. The dignity of the human person involves the right to take an active part in public affairs and to contribute to the common good of fellow citizens.

What Difference Does This Make in My Life?
1. Constitutional votes are a milestone for democracy. Literally, a milestone is a stone or pillar that shows "how far" and "how close" people are in relationship to a specified place. Why is Iraq's successful constitutional referendum a milestone? How would you describe "how far" the Iraqis are from tyranny and corruption? Describe how "How close" are they to freedom and independence?

2. What are some of the challenges that Iraq faces regarding the establishment of government that is fair and values the heritage of the Shiite, Kurdish, and Sunni provinces?

3. Does Iraq's movement toward democracy undercut the efforts of insurgents across much of that country?

4. Why is there growing opposition in the U.S. to the War in Iraq?

5. How would you describe America's fight for independence? What were some barriers to our freedom and independence? What was the common vision of our Founding Fathers?

6. How does understanding the U.S. Declaration of Independence help us understand who we are as a country?

7. During 1787 and 1788 John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton wrote newspaper articles explaining the U. S. Constitution and building support for its ratification. The newspaper articles became known as the Federalist Papers. Later in 1788 the Constitution became law. It was ratified by nine of the thirteen states. Discuss the meaning of these ideas that were published in the Federalist Papers. What is their meaning now?
"This country and this people seem to have been made for each other."
-John Jay, Federalist Paper No. 2
"They accomplished a revolution which has no parallel in the annals of human society. They formed the design of a great confederacy, which it is incumbent on their successors to improve and perpetuate."
-James Madison, Federalist Paper No 14.
"It seems to have been reserved to the people of this country by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government by reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force."
-Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper No. 1

8. What are some of reasons why more than 100 federal constitutions have been approved since 1980? What is the global meaning of this trend?

9. Why is the U.S. Constitution America's most treasured possession? Do you know that recent legislation by Congress requires schools to sponsor an annual program on the Constitution on or around September 17, the date when the Constitutional Congress signed the text that was submitted to the people of the thirteen states for ratification? Many of these school programs feature everyone reciting the words in the Preamble to the Constitution. Do you know the words of the Preamble? Take a moment to reflect on them: We The People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

10. Comment of each of the basic human rights outlined in Pope John XXIII's encyclical "Peace on Earth." Why is this encyclical so pertinent to today's world?

11. Why are peace and freedom so elusive? What are two or three essential qualities for being a peacemaker? What is your message of freedom and peace to the world?

12. Recite closing prayer for world peace.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Prince of Peace.
You often say, "Peace to you."
Make all men and women witnesses of justice.
Banish from their hearts whatever may endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee
and defend the great gift of peace.
May all people on earth become as brothers and sisters.
May peace blossom forth and reign over us.
-Pope John XXIII

Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Theme: Working for the Common Good
Kindergarten, chapter 20
Grade 1, chapter 22
Grade 2, chapter 18
Grade 3, chapter 18
Grade 4, chapter 18
Grade 5, chapter 23
Grade 6, chapter 19
Junior High, Mystery of God, chapter 12
Junior High, Church and Sacraments, chapter 2
Junior High, Morality: Life in Christ, chapter 5
Junior High, Jesus in the New Testament, chapter 10

Connecting to Faith First®
Theme: Working for the Common Good
Kindergarten, chapter 20
Grade 1, chapter 23
Grade 2, chapter 19
Grade 3, chapter 18
Grade 4, chapter 17
Grade 5, chapter 23
Grade 6, chapter 22
Junior High: Liturgy and Morality, chapter 24
Junior High: Creed and Prayer, chapter 18