harwood@cvl.UUCP (David Harwood) (07/29/85)
In a few days is the 40th annual memorial of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the U.S. armed forces. This year already recalls the 40th memorial of the liberation of Auschwitz. I remember what Jesus said to Peter at the Last Supper, having already told the disciples that they would betray him: "Simon, I tell you that Satan has recieved his wish to sift you all like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail -- that when you have turned around, then you shall strengthen your brothers." As a Christian, and layman of the Catholic Church, there are two things I would petition of the Church, which I believe are necessary to straighten the way of the Church: The Church must confess specific responsibility for ideological justification of terrible historical atrocities, by which the Gospel is betrayed, if we are not to be remote spiritual accomplices of an eternal crucifixion -- we must repent of the intention to condemn mankind to death for self- serving ideological reasons. The Church should appeal that individual nations declare themselves banned of nuclear weapons and similar instruments of massive, indescriminate destruction, also that they provide sanctuary for those who would leave their home- lands to live peacefully according to their conscience. I believe that the Gospel is nothing if it does not bring repentance and good news of peacefulness. No where does the Gospel say anything about 'peace through military strength, and an effective policy of mutually-assured destruction.' But there is what the prophet Isaiah said, "They have made a pact with Death, that it should not destroy them. But that pact shall fail." The truth is that the 'superpowers' profit from injustice all over the world -- and they would indefinitely secure their incredible 'peace' with probable horror. But I believe the Catholic Church must first repent of its own complicity in destruction, if it is to be a true and faithful witness to Christ. David Harwood (I'm going overseas during August, so I won't be able to reply to the Net for awhile.)