Rethinking Christmas

Christmas season is with us again. A walk through the town, at least here in Italy, which I guess is what happens world over, preparations are in top gear and the decorations can tell it all. It is interesting that even television news give considerable coverage of Christmas so are the newspapers. The only undoing is the bad weather clobbering most of Europe bringing many cities to a tilt and spoiling many plans. Back at home, in Kenya, this is significantly the biggest feast in the year.
Christmas occurs in the last month of the year characterized by many events: It is time to relax for class 8 pupils and form 4 students who sat for their exam and wait for the results and all schools are closed; it is time for initiation for boys in most part of the country; it is time for family gatherings. It is what summer is for Europe or USA. The month-long- holiday-proper begins with the Independence Day on Dec 12 and lasts until first week of New Year. Goats, chicken, bulls will have nowhere to hide. Everyone will be clad in the best cloth and shoes and churches will be overflowing. As I think of what I am missing with the weathers threatening to send me to the maker, something crossed my mind. What is the meaning of all this festivities and are they worth it?
Christmas is a feast when we celebrate God who chose to be one of us. We were taught since we young that ‘For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son that those who believe in him will have life eternal’. Therefore, we celebrate God’s love to a fallen people in need of his redemption. But God wants to reach man through man; he chose Mary to give birth to Jesus and Joseph to take care of him. Later this child will save mankind from eternal condemnation by his death and resurrection. Christmas is thus intimately connected to Easter. But I ask does man really understand all this?
Looking at the preparations we make for Christmas on would right to say that it is more of an external than it is internal. We are so elaborate with the town, house, street and church decorations than we are in preparing our hearts to contemplate the whole event. We are so dogged down by the daily traffic that we hardly find time to think about what it really means. For many though it is the one other time, apart from Easter, that we set foot in church. Even then we still do not reach the essence of the feast often forgotten as these two articles suggest, http://godwardthoughts.blogspot.com/2007/11/in-preparation-for-christmas.html http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0008.html
I propose a rethinking of Christmas. Suppose I celebrate Christmas to become what Jesus becomes for me to others? That is if Jesus is a sign of God’s love, if he is brings me joy, if he forgives my sins, if he becomes food for me, then why should I be the sign of love, brings joy, forgiveness and become food for others especially the less fortunate. We read too that there was no room for him In Bethlehem, shall he find one today in my heart. It is him who says he who welcomes one of the little brothers welcomes me. How many people have no place to lay their head tonight? Or have no food? Or clothing? Or status? Or family? And what am I doing? God has reached to us through his son. It is our time to reach unto others? I just wish we could spend a quarter of the time we spend on the externals to prepare Christmas and dedicate it to serving those in need! It all depends on you. Here you go

Increase highway speed at the country’s peril

The proposal by the Italian minister of infrastructure and transport, Altero Matteoli, to increase speed on the some roads from 130km/h to 150km/h poses a lot of questions than answers. The proposal comes hot on the heels of manifestations in Rome and other cities against highway mortalities in Italy. It is know in Italy that over 60% deaths from motor accidents are caused by over speeding. This puts the minister’s proposal at loggerheads with the general thinking of the people, be they relatives of victims or other stakeholders.

One must ask why the minister thought it wise to make such proposals at a time when hundreds of youth continue to die every weekend out of accidents? According to statistics by Ocse, (l’Organizzazione per la Cooperazione e lo Sviluppo Economico), as contained in Corriere della sera, www.corriere.it (Matteoli: si a 150km/h all’ora in autostrada), Italy has a media of 9.8 highway deaths of every 1000 persons per year, which is higher that the European media of 9.6. Such figures confirm the stories I used to hear that drivers in Italy are just crazy and that driving in Rome is total madness.

Matteoli argues that the proposal is going to save time, ensure constant flow of traffic and increase security on the roads adding that if a car is strong enough to cruise at that speed then it should not be forced to drive along the weak ones. Such an argument by the minister is actually contrary to ensuring security on the roads. The strength of the car should not be the measure of speed buy by the capacity to drive safely and the conditions of the roads.

No doubt the country wants to increase security on the roads and ensure constant flow of traffic but not at the expense of human life. It is not surprising that leaders have come up to oppose such laws saying it is ‘demagogical and paradoxical’ in a country that lacks the culture of highway security (Paese in cui non c’e cultura della sicurezza stradale’, according to Silvia Velo, Vice president Pd della commissione della trasporto della camera.) www.agi.it ‘Nuovo codice della strada….’ One can only hope that these leaders are not just playing politics but are convinced that increase of speed to 150km/h, even if only in some roads, is not a well informed proposal.

If the minister is concerned about the highway security then he must ensure there are rules to ensure those who drive are properly trained, that Highway Code is put in place to regulate the flow of motor and contain madness on the roads caused a like by drivers, Motor cyclists and pedestrians. Mr. Minister we better not assume everyone has the capacity to drive at that speed leave alone driving properly. Better to rethink again how else free flow of traffic can be ensured, how highway security can be improved and how else time can be saved other than sending many more to the grave, in trauma or on wheelchairs. Doing it any other way will be simply peddling a fib and it soon becomes cropper!

Climate change; real or just fuss!

The 15th conference on climate change in Copenhagen, next week, will bring together delegations from 192, for two weeks, to address another global issue threatening to decimate us all due to mans’ lack of foresight, selfishness and greed. The conference, preceded by a meeting by the ministers of government who meet above 5600m, with Everest just in sight, in what was dubbed ‘taking climate higher’, is the greatest assembly bringing all leaders together to build consensus on climate change. The Copenhagen meeting is expected to pass new climate protocol to replace the 1997 Kyoto protocol which ends in 2012, to prevent climate changes and stem global warming.
Interestingly, the meeting is expected to produce regulations to curb CO2 emissions especially from the heavy producers China and United States of America. To say the least there has been some progress with the inclusion of US in the talks snubbed by earlier administration and commitments from China and India who have been accused of doing little to address CO2 emissions. However, it must be stated that apart from these countries there are many others who are hitting above the belt making the efforts by others become a cropper. This meeting should be a wake-up call to every country, district, village and every human person to do what we must do to save the climate.
Indeed the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) blames ‘humankind's influence on the modern day climate and about the impacts of rising temperatures http://news.bbc.co.uk “Q&A. The Copenhagen Climate Summit”. At least the report by IPCC points at the principal cause as burning of fossil fuels that produce high concentrations of CO2 that combines with the CO2 in the air to trap more of sun’s energy and warming the earth’s surface. This explains the changes we all have witnessed in the past few years.
Notwithstanding, there is a disturbing issue is the fact that some scientists and cynics are dismissing global warming as a natural occurrence sending mixed signals to us mere mortals. However, unless they are willing to explain to us why we encounter hurricanes, floods, changed weather patterns, rise of sea water levels due to melting of glacier today more than ever, then their theory remains naught. The debate as usual has been politicized and countries are divided down in the middle.
However, it is heartening to hear that majority leaders are committed to do something to reverse the situation. At least by now we know the governments want ‘a new treaty that is bigger, bolder, wide-ranging and more sophisticated than the Kyoto agreement’ as reported by BBC. I hope this is not another futile gimmick to hoodwink the masses and as it emerged from the ‘greatest debate on earth’ on BBC, Saturday 06 Dec 2009, we either adapt or die.

Power politics in the nuclear development; threat to world security.

There has been a cat-mouse game between International Community represented by UN against Iran on nuclear development. This followed the revelations, in fall 2009, which indicated that Iran was developing nuclear plants secretly, facts that Iran admitted,of course, with justification. The issue took centre stage during the UN summit held in USA forcing the Security Council to order International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to carry further investigations. Meanwhile, Iran has continued to plead innocence claiming their plants were meant to produce nuclear energy for its own people while world leaders accuse her of lying.

It is known that Iran started its nuclear ambitions in 1957 with the aim of ‘increasing military, economic and civilian assistance’, http://www.cfr.org/publication/16811/= Iran’s Nuclear Program) but slowed down thereafter only to resurface in the last decade. The US government has been on the front line challenging Iran to stop the nuclear development arguing it is a security threat to the international community. It was the admission in fall 2009 by Iran that the UN took the threat seriously and after some investigations the IAEA has, today 27th Nov 2009, (BBC news) censured Iran over nuclear cover-up, demanding freeze of secret uranium enrichment site.

The report accuse Iran of being uncooperative in many fronts and alleges that she makes 2.75kg of uranium and by February she will be making low-enrichment uranium (LEU) capable of feed stocking 2 bombs http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1103/p02s01-usfp.html ‘Iran nuclear program: clock ticking as Uranium collects’. Despite all this Iran continues to deny these findings and continues to make promises that do not convince the international world. Iran joins the bandwagon of North Korea and their sympathizers who are hell bent to flex their muscles with nuclear plants. Other leaders have used all sorts of language to persuade or warn Iran and North Korea but no concrete plan has been proposed.

One can only hope that the world is not plunged into the nuclear insanity or even another war. This calls for a sober approach to the issue but then dialogue cannot continue forever without an apparent change of conduct on the part of Iran. However, it is time the leaders come clean in the way to do politics and relations. It is possible that some of the countries who delve into such dangerous trends do so to protect themselves from super powers or to gain some negotiating power in uneven playing field of economics.

However, such power games should not be played at the expense of the world security, thus Iran should denounce her ambitions if they are not about nuclear energy for her people. If we are to believe Iran that her project is for the good then we ask she cooperate with IAEA to avert the looming danger. Meanwhile, we pray and wait hoping the sadists who are encouraging Iran to play hard do not win nor should the politics of domination and isolation.

World food situation require more than statements to stabilize.

World food situation require more than statements to stabilize.
The meeting organized by FAO just ended last week with calls from various quarters sounding an alarm over food situation and the need to act fast. The meeting brought together various world leaders including the Pope who noted dragging of feet to eliminate hunger that kills 17m children annually. Missing in action were the leaders of the G8, apart from Italy’s PM who was the host. It would be expected that a question as serious as food crisis would be at the centre stage in world matters yet from the look of things this is not the case. The statistics issued by FAO, reveal that millions of people are starving despite the rise of technology and development.
It beats logic that food is a basic human need yet millions go without it or receive less than is expected in terms of quantity and quality. Consequently, there is need to look at what is not adding up and make plausible proposals to sort out this shame once and for all. As the Pope noted in his address ‘Win the battle against Hunger’ (www.zenit.org )the problem of food is not the scarcity of material but the scarcity of institutional political will that would stabilize the right to sufficient, healthy and nutritious food to all.
The lack of such institutions among nations, skewed market policies, skyrocketing prices of basic necessities, and having world priorities upside down demonstrated by the skipping of such an important meeting by top leaders explains why this situation is a time bomb. I would actually think that with the economic crisis the issue of food be a top priority needing urgent attention and long term solution. However, all is not lost but we must act together and very fast as the Director General, FAO, Jacques Diouf urged in his speech to reach ‘broad consensus on the total and rapid elimination of hunger’.(www.fao.org ) by pulling down all the structures that cause food crisis, stop price speculation on food and set policies that guide the international market to respect weak economies. When this is said and done, then I dream…
I imagine of a world that spends more resources to put in place mechanisms of food sustenance, one that spends resources teaching people how to fish than give them handouts; one that recognizes the basic needs of man as rights and provides the necessary to realize what that means; other than a world where unwarranted wars are mega-funded, where scientific studies that degrade the dignity of man are the order of the day; where rich countries tie funding to conditions that harness corruption and condemn a nation to perpetual begging and mind boggling unjust debts.
But I cringe to know that this is only a pipe dream. Were it not a dream the ‘big ones’ would have come knocking, calling for a united affront against the common enemy. However, they were busy elsewhere visiting the East that has become a giant or were celebrating some historical event somewhere in France as the minnows shouted themselves hoarse. I am afraid and indeed afraid that recommendations from the FAO meeting asking for $44M annually to combat hunger will only dust in some shelves somewhere.

Berlin. Fall of the 'wall of shame'.

World leaders gathered to celebrate with the Germans the fall of Berlin wall on the 9th Nov 2009. Thousands were the numbers that watched on television the event, so were the hundreds who gathered to witness the memorable event. This was in remembrance of the fall of the wall (so called wall of shame) that separated the East from the West Germany during the cold war. The event united those who were actively involved in bringing down the wall to those who were opposed; those who had never closed the wall into Berlin to those who lived in Berlin; those who lived the experience to those who read in history. The only missing part was that many who played vital roles in bringing down the wall and who never lived long enough to savor the sweetness of the liberty they fought for especially John Paul II and solidarity labor movement, who was nevertheless given a glowing tribute by US secretary of state, Hilary Clinton and Lech Walesa, Nobel peace prize winner, for unifying Europe in freedom.
The separation of the two German states started in August 1961 and lasted until 9th Nov 1989 when President Mikhail Gorbachev led the re-union of Germany. The wall was the culmination of the state of atheism that fostered ideologies that were inimical to God and the human person. The celebrations on Monday marked 20years since the fall and reminded the people of the role Christianity has played in shaping the culture and civilization of Europe. The question that came to mind as I watched the staged domino -fall -of- the –wall is what would all the people who fought for re-unification of Germany say to the leaders of the 21st century were they to rise again? Did the fall of the wall mean anything to anyone in the world? Was the liberty so desired realized?
Reading some of the newspapers the next morning some of my possible fears were somehow confirmed. I posed a question, ‘was the falling of the wall a true revolution’? Who benefitted from the fall of the wall? One article said in Italy “il muro e il sogno di Un’era liberale che ancora non e` cominciata. (The wall and the dream of a free era that is not yet started’).The world continues to witness walls some physical, economical or social as if the Berlin wall was not enough lesson: a physical wall separates the Jews from Palestinians in Holy land even after the holy Father asked for its destruction; many nations are subdivided in North and south or East and West in terms of development; there is still the division of the first and third world countries; and there are still millions who cannot access the world resources due to various forms of walls that have condemned them. The only conclusion plausible from this kind of walls is that mankind has not made a flea-hop-step from being a Neanderthal.

No Crucifixes;Rules EU court

The decision last week by the European Union to ban crucifixes in schools is weird, queer and borders sheer madness to say the least. During the court session the judges arrived at the decision to ban the crucifixes claiming they violate the rights of parents to bring their children according to their conviction and that it violates religious freedom for the students. One wonders why this is so at this point in time and for whose interests it is meant for.

This case is not in isolation. There have been attempts over years to drive out religion form public sphere whose roots can be traced from the French revolution. Religion has been seen as an obstacle by many in exercising ‘their freedom’ and therefore an opportunity to trample it undercurrent is seized with pleasure. However, careful consideration of such positions faults the logic. Indeed, religion cannot be against man for it is meant to be man’s way of relating with his creator and fellow brothers.

So when EU court says crucifixes violate rights of parents and the students I fail to understand this logic. First, because Europe, as it were, cannot deny its fundamental link to Christianity: trying to deny this link is folly and risks allowing other cultures taking over in Europe. Thus, if Europe were to abide by this decision, then she would be shooting her own foot. Second, one wonders which countries are behind this move or put another way for whose interest is this new law? At least the Italian government has raised her dissatisfaction and plans for an appeal. I hope the consciences of other European countries will grow up and challenge such discriminative law.

It consoles to note that some Muslim students have expressed their opinion saying they do not think the crucifix in the classroom violates their freedom of religion. I wonder if the Muslim countries would allow the removal of their symbols from their schools let alone public celebration of another faith. So are we trying to Islamize the whole world by denying what defines us just to accommodate others in the name of rights and freedom? I believe that all have equal rights and freedoms. Keeping what defines what we are does not deny anyone his freedom or violate his rights. Indeed, the cross has become folly to the European Union judges but to those who value their origin, culture and religion the cross remains central.

time is now!

We live in a world that facing tough times: the threat of nuclear insanity from Iran, escalating war in Afghanistan, economic crisis that has decimated growth and left millions faced by milliard problems. This has made the poor become poorer and the politics of the day seem not to care. Only a few leaders are committed to upset the apple cart and set things straight but the majority is contented by the status quo. These are some of the marks of the times we live in.

The Pope has been on the fore front calling the international community to action in order to curb what he calls the scandals of our time- hunger, pollution, and greed. His voice has been heard far and wide especially in the new encyclical Caritas in Veritate released last July, in which he addresses the injustices facing mankind. He mentions that some of the problems are man-made, especially when man tries to kick God out of public sphere or even when he tries to build economies without ethics.

As usual, his voice is like one who cries in the desert where no one hears. Many have shut down their ears not to hear and have hardened their hearts not to understand in order to continue playing politics. However times is now when we realize that nothing gets done until our hands have been soiled. It therefore implies taking responsibility and doing what is right, just and true. This obligates each man to do his duties accordingly as a responsibility versus others and allowing God to God. the Pope has led the way in setting things straight: he has turned Vatican a green city by installing solar panels to tap energy from the sun, been on the front line is defending the place of God in man’s life; he has relentlessly led campaigns against destruction of life in all it forms; and recently he has led a campaign to set free Africa from ‘new slavery’, and the list is endless. However, we cannot afford to sit down wringing our hands in mock honor at what the Pope has done. We must feel and accept being challenged by the Pope’s example and do our part as some adage in most hotel goes, ‘don’t just sit here do something’!

Africa; time is now, Rise!

The second African synod is just closing its doors after weeks of deliberations on the situation of the Church in Africa. The synod brought together representatives from various parts of Africa and who included experts in various doctrinal disciplines of the church. It emerged that time was too short compared to the vastness of the continent and myriad of issues that continue to dog the emerging church.

The church in Africa finds herself immersed in political turmoil’s that have rocked parts of Africa for decades and the uprising Muslim extremists who know not religious tolerance whose knack for violence has left hundreds of Christians suffering in Northern Nigeria, Algeria, Somalia just to name a few hot spots. It emerged that the Bishops from North Africa are more at home with the Muslim than those from the Southern part of Africa probably because of their many years of experience with the Islam. This observation serves as key in addressing the situation that is creeping in the whole continent, the Muslim phenomenon, as the continent seeks reconciliation, Justice and peace.

However, the greatest challenge remains how Africa will redeem herself from the negative labels she has received from the West and Europe; how to evolve from the Dark Continent to a Continent of Hope or a Continent of Mission. It must be the priority in Africa how she provides the world with an alternative; an alternative that is rooted in the gospel and human values. Yes, it has been said that Africans are notoriously religious, but is not enough to hang around such an adage while real life is not imbued by religious values. People must be defined by what they believe!

Africa must say no to neo-colonialism, hatred, corruption and all other evils that decimate her potential and embrace that which make her really ‘rise and walk’. However, the international community must too take her responsibility in setting Africa free from unjust debts, from systemic rooting of her resources by multinationals, from not being self sufficient in food and water despite favorable weather patterns and farming conditions to name just a few. Taking care of these obstacles will be better than giving grants to Africa. Indeed, the best thing you can do to a friend is not giving them all they need but making them realize how much they have! This way Africa needs not grant, but empowerment!

Even Homosexuals have rights!

Over the past week debate on rights of homosexuals hit the headlines in world newsrooms after manifestations in several cities. In America, former president Bill Clinton is on record as having regrets on the position he took when he forbid gays serving in the army.Http://wwwpinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13246.Html. July 14 2005. On the other hand, President Obama addressed manifestations by the gays last week, while in Italy manifestations in support were held in various towns while Rainews 24 dedicated an hour program to discuss homosexuality on Tuesday. Interestingly, some high level official at the UN accused Italy of taking a step backward when parliament voted against the motion last week. The ugly part of it was the physical or otherwise attacks subjected against homosexuals in various parts of the world.

While all this is happening the Church has been accused of taking hard line position against homosexuals. However, it is important to clarify that the Church does not support or recognize any position that does not respect the dignity and rights of human person. She is on record as having a real concern to this pastoral problem. In a letter to the bishops, the Church says ‘it is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech, or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church pastors whenever it occurs’. Letter to Bishops of the world on the pastoral care of homosexuals #10

The Church holds that gays should be treated with love and prudence to help them from overcoming the problem. What the church questions is the presentation of gayism as an orientation beyond once capacity of choice. The church recognizes that some cases are beyond human intervention but are very few. However, she does also know that gayism is a way of life chosen by many contrary to the order of creation. In fact one wonders, if it is true that it is an orientation, how comes it is only becoming an issue in the recent times while it was never some years back and why only in some places and not universally in the whole universe? This indicates that there is something wrong in what is presented as the basis of such arguments.

This calls for a serious reflection because it is a pastoral concern. We must denounce all forms of violence against fellow human beings no matter our convictions. In deed the challenge from the gospel is that we love others because only Love conquers all things. However, our show of love should not be construed to mean we do favor this way of living or even support it. Rather we call all people to embrace the natural order of creation and do what is deemed fit and right for human persons.