The audacity of peace
Print Friendly Version| On the Road to Peace by John Dear S.J. | Tuesday, November 11, 2008 |
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Vol. 3, No. 10 |
This weekend, Barack Obama just freshly elected, I joined 2,500 Catholics at the annual Call to Action conference in Milwaukee. A spirit of hope hovered in the air. And in the air, too, was a general agreement that, the election notwithstanding, our work must continue. We need to keep pushing for an end to the U.S. wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. We still need to work to eradicate poverty, hunger, disease, corporate greed and environmental destruction. We still need to work for a more just society. Shortly put, we too have to be hopemakers, and carry on the hard work of making our hope -- a world of peace -- come true.
Being hopemakers, a synonym for peacemakers -- this was the theme of my talks. It is up to us to pursue the audacity of peace, to practice the nonviolence of Jesus, and in the process, to help the church reclaim its peacemaking vocation. Need it be added, despite the election, we have our work cut out for us.
Benedictine Sr. Joan Chittister, at the recent California Women's Conference, put the matter bluntly: "War is obsolete." Hers is a kind of leading-edge insight -- an insight destined to pass one day soon into conventional wisdom -- and I agree with it. The days of war are over. And we must make it known.
Just because Obama will become president, we dare not sit back. Now is the time to build and sustain a movement for the abolition of war itself. And it can begin with the immediate end of the evil U.S. war on Iraq.
And with the $10 billion we'll save each month we can rebuild the economy, feed the starving masses, and create jobs that protect and restore creation. We can follow by dismantling our nuclear weapons and retire the star wars program and disperse the funds from these to meet human needs, beginning with those of the poor.
The election was "a terrific symbolic victory," said my friend Fr. Simon Harak, S.J., director of the Marquette Center for Peacemaking in Milwaukee. "But it means we have a lot of work to do to make that symbol into a reality for all of us. The peace movement cannot conclude our job is done. We have to work as hard as ever."
Benedictine Sr. Anne McCarthy echoed his sentiment. "The wars, the poverty, the nuclear weapons continue, and so our work must continue too. We will keep on vigiling for an end to the Iraq war and working for peace and justice."
I hope that the energy that the election unleashed among young people, and people across all walks of life, indeed people around the world, will lead everyone to work for disarmament and justice for the rest of their lives. It's vitally important that those who got involved in the campaign for political change stay involved in the lifelong struggle for global change. Therein lies our true hope.
Which is why, when asked about my hopes for President-elect Obama, I confessed that I don't place my hope in any regime or administration or government. I want us to pursue the frontiers of Gospel hope. So I place my hope in the God of peace, the nonviolent Jesus, and the Spirit of active nonviolence. It's the Holy Spirit that pushes us to side with the poor, to create social justice, disarm our weapons and protect creation. This work is the work of a lifetime, the work of God, the work of all of us, and we need the Creator, the Christ, the Spirit, to lead us in creating a new world of peace.
During the weekend, the preaching and teaching and visionary words mingled with the good feeling of the election, and there was a palpable sense of a stone wall coming down, a deep sense of possibility. For the first time in a long time, I heard people say out loud: Yes we can! Yes we can make a new world of peace. Yes we can end the wars, feed the poor, care for the earth, create a new world. Yes, each one of us can make a difference.
Many expressed the hope that the dramatic spirit unleashed over the last few days will rub off on the church, that church people across the nation will wake up and join that movement for justice and peace.
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend shared a similar hope. But she shared disappointment as well. How many church leaders, she lamented, focused their energy and resources in recent months nudging the flock to vote according to one or two issues, to the neglect of the wide spectrum of Catholic social teaching and its implications for the common good. But church people are waking up, she said. Catholics are getting the message; change is in the air. She noted, for example, the pope's laudatory support of President-elect Obama the day after his election.
In 1968, her father Bobby Kennedy presciently said that there would be an African American president within 40 years, she said. "I hope that in the next 40 years, we will live to see a woman pope."
The CTA conference brought together so many committed people. And I was blessed to see many dear friends. Edwina Gately, for example, spoke about the silencing of prophetic voices in the church. Dolores Huerta of the United Farmworkers called us to stand with immigrants and workers (Stop the raids! Don't build that evil wall on the Texas border! Give out temporary work permits!)
Ched Myers led scripture studies examining the biblical call to protect creation, in particular, the scriptural commandment to stop deforestation. Remi De Roo shared his experience as a bishop at Vatican II. Ken Butigan and Ken Preston led nonviolence training sessions. Jesuity Fr. Joseph Brown reflected on forgiveness and justice in African American spiritualities.
Terry Rynne taught satyagraha based on his excellent new book, Gandhi and Jesus: The Saving Power of Nonviolence. David Stang testified about his saintly sister Dorothy, murdered in Brazil for protecting the Amazon. He premiered a powerful new movie, "They Killed Sister Dorothy," which will be shown in January on HBO.
Throughout the conference, I pondered a phone call I got Tuesday night as I watched the election returns. It was from Carlos Santana, the legendary rock star, calling to thank me for my autobiography, A Persistent Peace, which he had picked up at a small bookstore in Los Angeles. He wanted to talk about the work of peace and the spiritual dimensions underneath it. A thrilling conversation with a musical hero.
"I think we have to be positive," he told me, "and help people to be positive. This is the heart of the spiritual life. We need to be filled with light, so that our light, the light of Christ, our positive energy for compassion, love and peace, will spread far and wide and touch millions of people and help change the world into a new world of peace for all."
A beautiful vision. Add to it all the voices, visions and dreams of the conference. They speak to me of the audacity of peace -- audacity implying the freedom to seize that which the powers deem off limits. Audacity liberates and inspires. It means being bold and daring. I came away from the conference inspired anew by the audacity of Jesus who goes ahead announcing God's reign of justice and peace coming in the middle of war and authoritarianism and empire. Peace is audacious. So are peacemakers.
Can we in this new moment, this new opening, work even harder for that new world without war, poverty, nuclear weapons and global warming? Can we each do our part to carry on Jesus' work of proclaiming God's reign? Can we help the church become that Gospel community of audacious peacemaking, welcoming love, boundless compassion, disarming forgiveness, and social justice? Can we give our lives for that vision, that hope, that Gospel call, and be faithful to the journey?
All weekend long, I heard it over and over: Yes we can!
Editor's Note: For NCR reporting on the Call to Action conference, see: Catholics gather for Call To Action annual pilgrimage.
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This week, John Dear is speaking in Rochester, Binghamton, Easton, Pa. and in New York City (at Border's, Union Theological Seminary, Manhattan College and St. Francis Xavier Church) about his new autobiography, A Persistent Peace (Loyola Press, with a foreword by Martin Sheen). Eerdmans has just published a collection of this NCR Café essays called, Put Down the Sword. Both are available from www.amazon.com. For further information, see: www.persistentpeace.com and www.johndear.org.
I hope that Mr. Obama will
I hope that Mr. Obama will listen to the people. If he does not listen to them, he will be a one term president.
Video of Father John Dear's
Video of Father John Dear's talk in Johnson City, NY on November 12, 2008:
http://essentialdissent.blogspot.com/2008/11/evening-with-father-john-dear-sj.html
Very Good talk, but why was
Very Good talk, but why was is sponsored by the Navy?
Father John, Excellent
Father John,
Excellent article; however, the failure to mention the intrinsic evil of racism leaves a big gap. I wonder how many Cahtolics know that the bishops in Faithful Citizenship described racism as an intrinsic evil which can never be tolerated--the very same words used to describe abortion. I am hearing racist comments daily about Obama.
The threat to excommunicate Fr. Roy Bourgeoise for his support of the ordination of women reminds us also that sexism is alive and well in the church.
freind of humanity -- I envy
freind of humanity -- I envy you. You must be very young. I infer that because you seem to believe that it is possible for a political administration with a lifespan of four years to make visible progress against those problems which have been with us for -- how long?
Yes, I am still Catholic (by choice), an idealistic Catholic, and I do believe God's Kingdom will come -- but not in what briefly remains of my lifetime, probably not even in yours. Nevertheless, when Catholics follow Jesus' clear instructions (commands) -- it will come.
A vote for Obama was a vote
A vote for Obama was a vote for change, however, that’s not a change that will end war. It's a change in war tactics. That is reducing the U.S. role in Iraq and increasing the war effort in Afghanistan. This is what he stated in the debates.
With regards to world poverty, he is a strong supporter of subsidizing ethanol production. That will put strain on the world’s food supply as farm land dedicated towards growing food will be converted to growing fuel for our SUVs. This will reduce food and increase its cost. Though the fat U.S. people won’t be without food, someone will, and it won’t be the rich.
With regards to global warming, it is naive to think that man can change the forces of nature. Just as there were ice ages followed by global warming long before man was much more then a chimp, there will continue to be variations in global climate.
Don, We already have the
Don,
We already have the technology etal that is needed. What we dont have is the proper support. Al Gore tried to offer solutions. The oil companies responded by bribing the networks NOT to air his ads. We have had alternate energy solutions available for decades. The oil companies responded by buying the patents, burying them in vaults and issuing restraining orders to keep those who knew about it silent. Throughout all of this and more the REPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION quietly passed laws that made it easier for the oil companies to do what they did.
Is it a coincidence that the Bush fortune came from oil?
Is it a coincidence that oil companies and munitions companies have some of the same board members and same constituencies?
Since when is it our countries responsibility to feed the world? If the countries that would be adversely affected had spent more of their time and money developing agriculture instead of building expensive palaces and luxury accessories for their leaders, they would not be in this position now. Truth is, their leaders dont care if they starve and die. Sad commentary, but true.
Your arguments are nothing more than an appeal to emotion and fear, really no different than people who go into disgusting detail describing an abortion. No substance, just emotion. That is the same tactic that politicians used to create the mess we are in now.
Don: A vote for Obama was
Don:
A vote for Obama was also a slap in the face to the bishops who tried to use terrorist tactics to force Catholics to vote for McCain
A vote for Obama was also slap in the face to the Republican party for messing up the economy and causing unnecessary suffering for millions of Americans.
A vote for Obama was also a very clear statement that the American public is fed up with being lied to by the Republican administration and the Magisterial Authorities that supported them.
A vote for Obama was also a reflection of a growing world opinion that the Republican Administration was destroying the world economy in order to pad their personal bank accounts.
President Elect Obama has inherited a nightmare of a mess. At least he is trying to clean it up. McCain and Palin would only have made it a bigger nightmare with more Republican business as usual.
Interesting isnt it that the countries that were the most vocal in their support of McCain were India, Mexico, and the Vatican. Each of them reaped billions in monetary benefits from the Republican Administration, billions paid for at the expense of Americans.
A vote for Obama was a slap
A vote for Obama was a slap in the face to unborn children (or, more precisely, it was a vote in favor of pulling the child's body out of the womb piece by piece with forceps, or perhaps pulling it out to the neck before sucking its brain out with a vacuum, procedures which president-elect Obama has promised to endorse).
But you're right, the economy really is more important than the lives of millions of unborn children.
On a side note, I would be interested to see where the "Republican Administration" gave billions of dollars to the Vatican, who, on another note, never endorsed anyone.
But, Willyguy01, a vote for
But, Willyguy01, a vote for the Republicans was a "slap in the face" to all unborn children of all countries that we are at war against. How do we know that we are not killing the second coming of Christ (if you believe that he is coming again.) How do we know that we will not kill the reincarnation of Jesus? Jesus' own people sacrificed him to Rome the first time around. Why wouldn't Jesus be declareda terrorist or a terrorist sympathizer and be sentto Guantanamo Bay to be turned over to the American Cohort for enhanced torture?
When are we going to say Enough?
willguy01, A vote for Obama
willguy01, A vote for Obama was a vote to STOP unwanted pregnancy, so abortion won't be necessary, or an option. No unwanted pregnancy, no abortion. AND no child brought into a problem situation perpetuating problem children and problem adults.
It's that simple.
Now all we have to do is join together behind Obama and work together to STOP unwanted pregnancies.
Any ideas?
The more we discover how much we are Loved by God, the more we want to do God's Will
You misinterpreted what I
You misinterpreted what I wrote:
"Each of them reaped billions in monetary benefits"
Cash is only one form of monetary benefit.
And you are truly deceived if you believe that that Vatican was not endorsing McCain. All of their rhetoric had one purpose and one only - to get McCain elected. The bishops and the Vatican DID endorse McCain, and now they are lying about it. Once more, we see clear evidence that the Magisterial Authority cannot be trusted to tell the truth.
Since they seem to be lying at every turn of the key, why should we believe that they are telling us the truth about anything?
We have a Magisterial Authority that is in a perpetual state of sin, the sin of lying. That is, unless the Catechisms concerning honesty and personal integrity have been changed. Have they? Isnt it still a sin to lie?
You are correct and
You are correct and incorrect. The economy is important AND the lives of the unborn as well.
However, if it were you who was being evicted because you were unemployed, because you had lost your job, your savings and your retirement pension, and if you had nowhere to go except perhaps under a bridge or to a homeless shelter, I'm sure that the abortion issue would cease to be the burning passion it is with you right now.
Willguy01~ wow the anti-war
Willguy01~ wow the anti-war group should recruit you. But I suspect you approve of the Iraq war.
don guyus, You say: "With
don guyus,
You say: "With regards to global warming, it is naive to think that man can change the forces of nature."
Man has already changed the forces of nature. Look at the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and what that did! That was more about incineration than it was about "warming" - nevertheless... it is naive to think man does not or can not have any affect on weather, or atmospheric pressure.
What did you expect? The
What did you expect? The political dichotomy of Obama and Biden never made a secret of their upcoming policies. There are agendas that have been publicly discussed all along BEFORE the elections. You were perhaps only distracted by the blah-blah about the bishops' dirty laundry, and you missed the important talks?
Here is a video of Senator Biden telling months ago what was going to happen after the elections:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR0uiAYOFB8
Isn't he an impressing speaker? Senator Biden is one of the most respected voices in the country and in the world.
And he is one brilliant Catholic for our laity to rejoice.
Fr Dear, I am struggling
Fr Dear,
I am struggling with what action to advocate for, to take, in order to stop the genocide in Darfur.
My inclination has become, generally, to choose creative non-violence. Not having practiced it for long at all, though, I find myself at a loss to come up something effective.
Recently I read a comprehensive article in The New Republic magazine which half convinced me that trroops on the ground is all that will work in that aprticular situation ... if we want to stop the genocide. I do.
I find myself wondering if, not being ready to do non-violnece well, we should opt for violence, at least the threat of violence. Not knowing if I could endure my own pain non-violently, it seems safe and hypocritical to allow Darfuri suffering in the name of non-violence.
Please help with some theology, experience, and practical effective actions.
We (St Bridget, Manchester, CT) have done, and will be glad to do more, education, banners, wristbands, and letters to federal officials.
Thank you.
John Ryan
I am impressed that many
I am impressed that many Catholics have not followed the dictates of their leaders.
However, I think it is obvious that perhaps the structure of the Church itself needs to become more democratic. It is quite anachronistic to say the least. A patriarchal/hierarchical organization which is always looking backward, believes it can be in the vanguard of movements that bring radically new thinking to the 21st century.
Sexism and exceptionalism is at the core of this Church. Those who work for this institution are compliant by definition. It is rather contradictory, from my point of view, that these foot soldiers of the Church presume to be in a position of effecting significant change, when they also believe, by their very position within the Church, in evangelical conversions of millions on this planet.
People such as Fr. Dear may be even more credible if he took a stand against the persecutions of homosexuals in this church. The unnatural acts or proclivity toward same sex love, by this Church, stands in stark contrast to the unnatural lifestyle of those who are part of it.
The segregation of genders and celebacy and chastity oaths are beyond the pale of naturalism. Homophopia, in a religion where men are only permitted to devote themselves to an idea of a male saviour- and to live only among other men is a calling card for homosexuals-and why should it not be?
Sexual celebacy leads to emotional celebacy, since intimate feelings naturally lead to the desire to physically unite. This is an example of the irrational thinking that pervades the Church. I don't believe that these are people who can bring about deep and meaninful change in our world at this time.
This boys club life style stunts emotional growth and leaves a void in one's complete identification with the human condition itself. The bubble they live within, and their needs (healthcare, food, shelter) are always taken care of. They pretend they are in poverty, but they no not what it means to not be taken care of by the Father.
Instead of worrying so much about u.s. policies(and making sure that Jesus is always mentioned whenever they do any action), I would respectfully suggest that these people take a look in their own mirror. People who live in glass houses...
You are either part of the problem or the solution. These individuals seem to want it both ways. Try living in the real world, on your own, and then be courageous.
The transformation is coming- but it will not be a hierarchical religion that brings it. This is a guarantee.
Peace.
"Yes we can." However, the
"Yes we can." However, the Catholic Schools are an obstacle because they no longer serve the emigrants and poor.
If we really want to practice what we preach, we should close these schools and use the resources for programs which provide "a preferential option for the poor."
The Iraq war, according to
The Iraq war, according to the highest estimates I can find, has resulted in the death of 1.5 million people in five years, approximately 300,000 a year. This is a tragic figure. In the United States, abortion has killed over 1.4 million babies a year, or over 50 million children killed by induced abortion in 35 years. This is only induced abortions; chemical abortions and contraceptive abortifacients kill 14.5 million children a year. All totaled, approximately 530 million children have been killed by abortion (these numbers taken from the Guttmacher Institute). If the Iraq War fatalities are a tragedy, which they are, then these figures surpass any language we have to speak of them.
Why do I bring this up? Because justice and equality, which Call to Action claims to be their mission, must begin with the most vulnerable, the most defenseless, the most innocent in society. If we do not work to protect those most marginalized, those whose rights to justice and equality have been legally denied, then none of our other work for justice will stand, because it will be built on a foundation of sand. If we want to help the poor, we must start with the poorest. Only by speaking out for those who are most voiceless, by protecting the most defenseless, will we lay a solid foundation on which any other work for justice may be built. Only then can there be justice; only then can there be peace. To attempt to bring about peace by rebuilding an economy, by creating jobs, by alleviating material poverty, and even by ending war without securing the most fundamental right to life for all people will fail.
And now, a final word about hope. What hope can possible exist for a nation that defends the right to slaughter 16 million of its own children each year? What hope can be found in turning the womb, the most sacred space on earth, into a killing field?
At least the parents cried when they sacrificed their children to Moloch. Now we sacrifice our children to choice and convenience to a fanfare of independance and self-determination. And we dare to talk about hope.
Dear willguy, you claim
Dear willguy, you claim there have been 530 million abortions in this country.
Lets take a closer look at that figure:
There are 300 million people in the US.
--- that means almost two abortions for every man woman and child.
Lets assume for the sake of argument that only women have abortions.
--- that means that every female in the US has had 4 abortions.
Lets assume that half of the females are girls too young to get pregnant.
--- that means that every adult female in the US has had 8 abortions.
Lets assume for the sake of argument that only 1/2 of these women had abortions.
--- that means that each adult woman in the US had 16 abortions.
According to your numbers, there have been 16 abortions per woman.
I went to the Guttmacher Website to check these figures. I found out some interesting information. Contrary to what the antiabortionists are pontificating, (including the Magisterial Authorities), there has been a steady decline in abortions in the US since 1981.
According to Guttmacher, there have only been 45 million abortions
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html
"From 1973 through 2005, more than 45 million legal abortions occurred.[2]"
530 million vs 45 million ... there is just a tad bit of difference there.
Your figures are overstated by 12 times. There is only one conclusion.
The antiabortionists are lying.
The magisterial authorities are lying.
You are either lying, or you have been deceived. It really doesnt matter.
The abortion statistics are a fraud. Deliberately overstated in a pathetic attempt to generate sympathy for the cause.
What is really interesting
What is really interesting is how hateful and narrowminded some antiabortionists truly are. 1.5 million killed in a war is "tragic" and it is also inconsequential. huh???? Rebuidling the economy, eliminating poverty, eliminating war, creating jobs are fruitless exercises? huh???
Has anyone stopped to consider what this country would look like with 530 million additional people? We cant care for the 300 million we have now. How would we take care of 850 million people? It probably never occurred that a population of that number would create the same situation in this country as it did in China and India. No, they are too busy waving signs and calling names to think of consequences like that.
I abhor abortion. Let me repeat that I ABHOR ABORTION.
I also abhor the deceitful rhetoric and fear tactics that antiabortionists use to try to force others into supporting their cause. As far as I am concerned, a large number of the antiabortionists are nothing but domestic terrorists. The attitude that it is alright to lie, cheat, steal, harm others in the name of the antiabortion cause disgusts me. It is the same attitude that gave us such delightful historical events as the holocaust, the inquisition, nanking and other attrocities.
The truth of it is, if the antiabortionists had spent the same amount of time, energy and money in community service providing alternatives for pregnant women, the whole abortion issue could easily have been a footnote in our history books by now. But, that would take work. That would take a level of commitment and love to other humans. It is so much easier to spend a couple of hours shouting hate rhetoric, waving signs, writing disgusting rhetoric, than it is to sit with a real human being who is in pain and work with them to find a way. No, it is so much easier to condemn others than it is to be pastoral.
Want to end abortion? It really is simple. Put down the signs. Stop the hate rhetoric. Volunteer your time and money to programs that help pregnant women find alternatives. Volunteer your time and money to programs that are working to address the root causes of the abortion disaster - poverty, ignorance and hate.
Hold the hand of a teenager who just found out she is pregnant from a gang rape. Hold the hand of a pregnant woman whose family kicked her out because she was pregnant and she has no where to go. Work with a family who cant provide for the children they have now, much less the expenses for the one on the way. Do something about it. Letters like this are good for one thing and one thing only - spreading hate. Do something that will really make a difference. Get out and get YOUR hands dirty working to make a difference.
Follow the example of Mother Teresa, not the example of your Bishops.
Willguy01, One thing I've
Willguy01, One thing I've noticed about those talking about abortion and writing about it as if it were the number one issue, and only issue in this country is that the comments are from men. Another point is that in the statistics given there is no distinguishing at which point there was an abortion in the gestation of the sperm and the egg meeting up and this microscopic matter planted on the wall of the uterus. At this stage, the matter is not a child. But, men continue to say that this matter is a child.
In the statistics given as well is the obvious illusion that these are all late term abortions. You should separate these statistics and spare the reader the dramatics of depicting all abortions in such a manner, because most likely abortions take place in the first trimester in which the matter is not a developed human being, nor is it a child.
Also of note in the rants given by men about issues of the womb is that not everyone agrees with the characterization that life begins at conception, especially if the sexual act was not consensual and the male overpowered the female by force and against her Free Will. Also, if a girl age 11 or 12 or 13 is raped by her father or uncle or brother, it seems to me that she is the most defenseless victim and she is the one that is voiceless in all these anti-abortion rants. It seems that people do not really want to look at this entire issue, but select the most horrible cases, and out of context and then generalize the entire issue into one inaccurate vision of the slaughter of innocence. This does not give justice to the issue. This does not serve justice to the little girl who was raped.
Well if people take from the
Well if people take from the election the "Yes, we can" hope without tying it to the very establishment politics of Barack Obama, we will have made progress. Obama's stated positions are for militarism, abortion and the death penalty, but maybe we can move him if we believe it is possible.
Like John Dear, I place my hope in the God of peace, the nonviolent Jesus, and the Spirit of active nonviolence. The Gospel teaches us a whole alternative way to live, a way that didn't fit any of the parties of his day or of ours.
Jesus said, "I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world." We need to live in that victory of our Lord no matter how much it may seem like Satan has power. This does not mean sitting back and watching, but moving forward in hope and confidence that our work for peace will ultimately bear fruit.
Bill Samuel, Silver Spring, MD USA
Fred Preuss Why is the wall
Fred Preuss Why is the wall evil? Doesn't Mexico deport illegal aliens from its own territory?
Do you know that there is a god? If you can't prove his/its/her existence, why ask me to do something?
If I know that there's a disease affecting people, first I have to prove its existence to make you take action. Prove to me the existence of your invisible pal in the sky, otherwise don't tell me what to do.
You and the fundies deserve each other.
Barry Clemson Since the
Barry Clemson
Since the election, the emails I am getting from all over the country and abroad are all about the same. Part one is some version of "WOW! We did it". Part two is always "Now the hard work starts."
The optimism is palpable but the recognition of the enormity of the tasks ahead is also there. Fortunately, I think Obama recognizes that he needs a movement to accomplish his goals and i think the amazing campaign organization he built will now be transformed into a continuing movement. And of course we need to make sure that happens.
Well now that this article
Well now that this article has been side tracked,I will make my comments.
One advantage that the Church has going for it is the belief that the church will eventually come around to making the right decisions. Unfortunately those decisions come very late in time. The Vietnam war was declared by the Vatican to be an unjust war. But it wasn't until the mid to late 70's when that point was made, after thousands of American Christians had given their lives.
The church is not dynamic enough. It can't make timely choices. Sure Abortion is wrong. I do not support it, but I don't believe that giving the government the write to prosecute people for committing abortion is the right way to handle the issue. We are saying that we authorize the government to decide how to punish someone for breaking the the Commandment "though shall now kill", while it is covering up for the mass murders of civilians and unborn children in Iraq, Afghanistan, et everywhere.
It's like telling the government, a blind entity, to remove the speck out of your eye with a pair of pliers.
Currently, the Church is deciding the fate of a fellow Louisianian, Fr. Roy Bourgeois, M.M. for daring to do what Jesus had done with Mary, Martha's sister. Jesus didn't excommunicate Mary for wanting to be in community with the apostles and Jesus. If Jesus had pushed the issue, the whole church would be run by women because the male apostles would probably have bailed out. "You, my dixciples, will you also leave?"
Pray for the Church not to make the mistake again of removing women from clerical roles.
Peace!