Silence Begets Violence?

Though we say to every national event "We'll never forget," it seems that in the wake of the shooting in Connecticut, this couldn't be further from the truth. The children and teachers who were killed at the school in Newtown, CT seems surreal. We couldn't be going through this, could we? We're America after all. I feel there are many thoughts that arise with America, including: personal rights (such as the one to bear arms) and a sense of morality (which may be underdeveloped in a third world country.) I feel this shooting is a call to action for us to get off our high platforms where we think nothing is wrong and confront the harsh reality that things aren't okay. The rising increase of guns and limited gun control is frightening. On Black Friday alone, there were 150,000 background checks for guns. Why are we so frightened? Are they all for self-defense? I think as a society, we should mourn the deaths of those kids and adults and change our regulations on owning guns. Whether it be limiting the amount you can purchase or cutting them out entirely, I'm not sure. I feel social justice is needed in our world to stop the message of hate and violence where we feel a gun is necessary. The Catholic Church teaches to spread love, not hate. We, as a generation, need to take on this cause. We need to defend the dignity of life and build communities of support and encouragement. We need to treat the mentally ill appropriately so that mass shootings don't happen. We need to speak up on our stance against guns and make a change not wait until someone else does. We need to say something.

Factory Fire

The fire in Bangladesh is a real-life example of the need for social justice in our world. In 1911, a similar event happened and became known as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. Both factories had bars on the windows and poor working conditions. One would assume that we would learn from that experience, but sadly, the message has yet to be wide-spread. The fire in Bangladesh shows just how vital our need for social justice is in our world. No matter their race or heritage, all humans are humans with dignity and deserve to be treated with respect. I feel that as consumers we are called to be aware of such injustices and refuse to purchase those items. Part of me feels that the guilt should fall on the corporations, but I am fully aware that a corporation may try their hardest to ensure fair working conditions and be lied to by the smaller companies. So I feel it is the job of the corporations to follow up with their branches in other countries to the best of their ability, ensuring that human dignity and worker's rights are being upheld. I also feel its very important to educate the workers in poorer countries, and in places like Bangladesh, to know what rights they are entitled to. In relationship to the United States, I believe that we must ask more questions instead of closing more doors. We need to take initiative, as a strong world power, to educate others about social justice issues in light of the Catholic Church's teachings.

Radical Forgiveness

I can't help but admire the ability of Pope John Paul II (JPII) to forgive the man who shot him, Mehmet Ali Agca. In an article by Mike Hayes on Busted Halo, there are some interesting questions posed. More often then not we find it hard to forgive the little things, carrying grudges into the future. Yet it is completely amazing and respectable how JPII followed Christ's example and truly forgave all those who offended him. Personally, I think JPII is very similar to Immaculee.

From what I've read about Immaculee, she has been through more than enough trauma, having spend 91 days hidden in a bathroom during the genecide in Rwanda. Yet in the documentary we watched in class, Immaculee has been able to overcome so much hate and extend only kindness to those around her. For example, she hugged the brother of the man who killed her brother. This is so hard to fathom on many levels. First off, it feels like there should be some anger and revenge towards that man and everyone who knew him. Yet Immaculee, like JPII, has learned that we are not made to judge, rather leave that up to God. We are only called to follow in the footsteps of Christ, offering kindness and compassion to those we meet on the journey.

Global Solidarity

In recent news, an Afghan woman was beheaded for disobeying her mother-in-law's wishes for her to become a prostitute. This form of manipulation shows an abuse that runs to the core. But what is the world responsible for? Abuse happens, there is no denying that. But more often then not I feel people wait too long if they know something is going on down the street, let alone in another country. I think that there should be laws in effect, ones that are actually enforced, globally. We are called to respect the life and dignity of each human person. This God-given task is not racist against other cultures, but should extend to all of our brothers and sisters. Through our rights and responsibilities, we are called to uphold the dignity of life with everything that we can. Therefore, we should be able to put an end to abuse because we are, basically, defending the human dignity of the abused. This also highlights the solidarity we need. We are not competitors, but brothers and sisters in Christ. And like Julie said, we should be morally responsible to care for at least one other person without question to promote a world of peace and hope. Well this is very applicable now. With Hurricane Sandy wrecking havoc in the lives of many, others are reaching out to help. My friend Jen lives in NJ and has seen first-hand the damage done there. Following her on Facebook, she has recruited a few friends and working on adding more to go and help with the clean-up at various shore points. This simple act shows solidarity and makes all the difference. I think that when more than one life is hurt, people are more likely to respond. Sure, abuse happens but not as rarely as hurricanes, tsunamis, and the like. Overall I feel that we all have a moral call to speak up and defend those who are abused.

Resolutions

With the 50 year celebration of Vatican Council II, Pope Benedict XVI is encouraging Catholics to make resolutions for the upcoming year of faith. There are various things that I can do in order to grow in my spirituality. 1. I can help the dear neighbor. More often than not we find ourselves busy in our own things and forget to do kind acts for those around us, even though they may need them. 2. I can make a conscious effort to be kind to those around me, extending a smile to everyone I meet and not redirecting hate or anger towards them. 3. I can pray each day an acquaintance, that they may be happy, healthy, and at peace. 4. I can continue to volunteer my time with the less fortunate. 5. I can participate in mass to the best of my ability each week. Some weeks that may mean clapping and stomping in praise and others it may mean being an active listener. Overall, I think there are multiple ways that I can participate.

Romney's and Obama's Stance on Ending Poverty

Poverty is one topic addressed by both Governor Romney and President Obama. Governor Romney believes that as citizens of good faith, we are called to help those who are hopeless. He expresses the goodness of Americans in aiding the poor. Romney then addresses how the poverty level correlates with the high unemployment. He hopes to restore the economy in order to increase job opportunities for those who are unemployed. He also vocalizes his commitment to protecting "those in or near poverty." This stance correlates with the Catholic Church's by offering hope and opportunity to the poor, not leaving them to fend for themselves in an unjust world. On the other hand, President Obama believes that "poverty is a moral issue." As a community, he believes we are called to aid one another. We must treat everyone with dignity and provide health care, retirement opportunities and education. He believes these are necessary to rebuilding our community and lifting the poor from the line of poverty. This correlates with the Catholic Church's beliefs by placing the moral responsibility on the individual. It allows the Holy Spirit to lead individuals to helping their dear neighbor. As you can see, both Romney and Obama have similar beliefs in upholding the poor's dignity but different ways in order to achieve that.

Project H.O.M.E. works to promote justice for the homeless in various ways. They work to end the cycle of poverty and enable the individual. By remaining steadfast in support, Project H.O.M.E. offers opportunity to each person. I believe that Project H.O.M.E. does a lot in dealing with charity. They provide housing to the poor, education, and medical services to those in need.

The housing opportunities offered by Project H.O.M.E. differs from other homeless shelters because it offers semi-private lodgings instead of an open floor-plan with various bunks. This simple blueprint allows the individual to feel like a human and not like a number. They also offer transitionary home for all those who are mentally ill. By supporting the client until they are back on their feet, Project H.O.M.E. truly takes care of its residents. I think that the housing opportunities are pretty amazing because it offers some stability and support and dignity to the poor. Everyone desires that basic right of shelter.

Should Bin Laden Be Forgiven?

As Americans across the country watched the twin towers topple to the ground on 9/11/2001, it was nearly impossible to think (in those excruciating moments of pain, sadness, and terror) of forgiving the men responsible for such acts of hatred and violence. Yet as we have learned in our theology classes across the years, we are called to forgive others. So why not forgive bin Laden and the associates responsible for such a horrible act of terror? What would that forgiveness even look like? This idea is presented by Mike Hayes in an article he wrote for "Busted Halo."


Forgiveness lies at the heart of Jesus' mission. Even having been beaten, embarrassed and abused by the soldiers, Jesus forgave his persecutors on the cross with the simple words of "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." This approach to life and forgiveness confirms the need to forgive bin Laden. We cannot bring back the lives that he took. We cannot erase that moment of terror from our history books. But we can move forward, writing our history in forgiveness and peace.


In the aftermath of 9/11, various religious organizations banned together to form a coalition to promote inter-faith communication. We need to work for peace and not for vengeance. We are called to forgive. I think that forgiving bin Laden is not justify what he did, but rather coming to terms with what happened and moving forward without hate. If we weigh ourselves down by hate, we are only drowning ourselves with a burden heavier than anything we could carry. Yet through forgiveness, we are letting go of the baggage of the past and letting ourselves move forward. That is why the coalition is so vital. It stresses the need for communication, not crime.