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’!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, October 19, 2009
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.
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.
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