The fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, March 19, falls in Holy Week this year --- a poignant reminder of the human cost and prolonged suffering taking place in that country. Five years after the invasion, the spiral of violence unleashed by the war continues to cause tremendous suffering on all sides, including our own military and their families, with no end in sight.

The social teaching of the Catholic Church has become increasingly pointed in its condemnation of war. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church states: "War is a scourge and is never an appropriate way to resolve problems that arise between nations. It has never been and it never will be because it creates new and still more complicated conflicts."

In November at the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, then-president Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., issued a statement on Iraq highlighting the imperative for new policy directions.

The statement asserts that "building a just peace in Iraq requires far more than military action; it demands a comprehensive political, diplomatic and economic effort.... Our nation should reiterate our pledge not to seek permanent military bases, nor control Iraqi oil resources."

It is becoming increasingly clear that instead of military action, a political and diplomatic effort offers the only real hope for long-term peace in Iraq. Claims of success based on temporary drops in internal violence fail to adequately address the deep political foundations for achieving long-term stability.

Catholic social teaching and a vision of Gospel nonviolence would suggest a policy direction for Iraq that embraces international cooperation and replaces reliance on military measures with diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Iraq and establish a just peace.

The key to building a just peace in Iraq lies in our nation's willingness to commit itself to a comprehensive political solution that includes respect for Iraqi sovereignty and control over its people and natural resources; a national reconciliation process that enables all Iraqi factions to come to the negotiating table; reconstruction and assistance for the millions of refugees and internally displaced Iraqis; and a regional peace process that engages Iran, Syria, the Arab League and others.

The United States does not have the legitimacy or the credibility in Iraq to broker a peace and reconciliation process. It is not viewed as an impartial player, and many analysts believe the U.S. occupation is fanning the ongoing violence --- serving as a "common enemy" obstructing necessary internal reconciliation.

A clear end to the U.S. occupation and transition of authority to multilateral management for a stabilization effort could open new prospects for peace.

While security remains a serious issue, a unified and sovereign Iraq can better deal with its extremist elements --- but not until the occupation comes to a decisive end and the U.S. follows through on its commitment to leave no permanent military bases behind.

Alternative security structures and multilateral peacekeeping arrangements, based on Iraqi-defined needs, may be far better able to diffuse the internal violence and secure Iraq's borders.

Nothing can restore the precious lives which have been lost and damaged on all sides in this war, nor quickly repair the ripped apart social fabric of an ancient nation. But a change in U.S. policy to support a multilateral and diplomatic peace process offers the best hope for beginning to heal the divisions created by five years of war and occupation.

Coupled with redoubling our economic support for Iraqi-led reconstruction, such policy changes are more likely to lead to stability and, in the long run, strengthen international cooperation and the global common good.

May this Holy Week be a time for our country to reflect on how "violence begets violence," to commit to nonmilitary solutions for resolving conflict, and to refrain from future rushes to war.

Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the bishop-president of Pax Christi USA: National Catholic Peace Movement --- www.paxchristiusa.org.