Sunday Newsletter

Masses Today

6.30: Nora & Patrick Cunningham, (Anniv).
11.00: Martin & Mary Nora Duggan; John Buckley; (Anniv).
6.30: Elizabeth and Bernie Coyne, (Anniv).

As I Was Saying...

The state of Israel moved that bit closer to Pariah status this week with her attack on the aid ships destined for Gaza. At least nine people were killed, and dozens more injured, among them some Israeli soldiers.

Israel said the violence was instigated by pro- Palestinian activists who presented themselves as humanitarians but had come ready for a fight.

Organisers of the flotilla accused the Israeli forces of opening fire as soon as they landed on the deck. The Israelis claimed that they needed to search the ships to prevent arms-smuggling to their enemies, Hamas.

Whatever the truth, it is claimed that we have witnessed a clash between attempted non-violent resistance and an armed state. Where is the morality in such situations? Many Christians believe that it is legitimate to use violence as a last resort to resist perceived oppression, or to protect the weak. And they point to Jesus' use of violence in cleansing the Temple of money-changers.

Other Christians point to the New Testament's general opposition to the use of violence and they therefore take up a pacifist position. Modern non-violent movements owe a great deal to pacificism. Both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King sought to develop effective movements which would challenge perceived oppression in a way that was consistent with their pacifist principles. Others, who are prepared for the use of violence as a last resort, believe that the last resort is not reached until all avenues of non-violent resistance have been explored.

But the ethical situation isn't at all simple or straightforward. For what responsibility do the parties have when they deliberately set out on a particularly provocative course of action? How ethical is it to pursue this particular course of action in the full knowledge that casualties would be inevitable? Even if the protestors genuinely intend to refrain from the use of all violence, does this absolve them of all responsibility? Does a deliberately provocative protest not have an ethical dimension?

Nobody can wipe their hands morally clean when people are then killed or injured. Indeed there have been situations where the aim of the non-violent protest is to hold up a mirror to the violence of the perceived oppressor. When Gandhi organised this famous 'Salt Marches' in 1930, he was laying claim to the Indian right to harvest the salt. But the march is now remembered more for its tactics rather than its aims. He set out with 78 volunteers to march unarmed the 241 miles to Dandi and the sea. Thousands joined him en-route.

On reaching the beach, they marched, twenty five abreast, towards the police. Line after line, they were clubbed to the ground, only to be replaced by another line. The political outcome was dramatic. The President of the Central Council resigned, saying:

"All hope of reconciling India with the British Empire is lost forever. I cannot understand how any government that calls itself civilized could deal as savagely with non-violent men as the British have this morning."

And, for some at least of Gandhi's followers, this was indeed the objective. So military power, when facing non-violent protest, needs to keep its wits about it. For effective non-violent protesters may well be as wise as serpents. They are rarely as innocent as doves!

-Dick Lyng

Items of Great Interest

"Quotable Quotes...."

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, 2012

The 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin in June 2012. So, what exactly is a Eucharistic Congress, and what is its purpose?

A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of the Catholic faithful which aims to:

These aims are achieved through a programme of liturgical and cultural events, lectures and workshops over a number of days every four years. The most recent Congress was held in Quebec in 2008 and was a source of renewal for the many thousands to took part.

Most people in Ireland are familiar with the fact that a Eucharistic Congress was held in Ireland in 1932.

Our parents and grand-parents speak of it as a significant event in their own experience of Church. Some pupils in secondary school have undertaken special history projects on the Eucharistic Congress in preparation for their Leaving Certificate.

Improvements in travel since 1932 will provide a greater international perspective to the 2012 Congress. Technology will play an important part too in preparations but the most valuable aspect of the coming years is the sense of faith which can be kindled in the families and in every parish throughout the country.

Happenings!

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