Encouraging Words from our Readers
Dear Catholic Workers:
Your last via pacis was terrific and the essay “What Would Jesus Do?” by Anne Scott was so vital and true.
It has occurred to me that - if not for an accident of birth, I would be termed a terrorist.
If I had been born a Muslim in Afghanistan and starving and forced to watch as my children died of starvation, I would be going to leaders to say what could I do?
And if they responded would I be willing to give up my life, I would say better than watching others die. And if they said, would I be willing to destroy a building of economic leaders, I would say gladly if they are these western rich who build their fortunes at the expense of the poor.
And if they offered me the opportunity to learn to fly a plane and told me to hit the world Trade Center, I would have gone.
But by accident of birth, I am paying taxes to support an overblown military to strafe the women and children of an Eastern nation.
Thank you for via pacis, and keep up the good work.
Sincerely, I’ve been reading the DMCW newsletter for a number of months. I am a young (30) Catholic who has fairly recently returned to the faith in which I was raised. However, I have always been interested in social justice issues, specifically pacifism.
Since September 11, I have felt alone in a sea of people who want nothing but vengeance in the wake of the attacks. That is why I read with great interest the latest newsletter with Dorothy Day’s pacifist statement boldly printed on the front. I felt, for the first time, there were others with whom I shared convictions. Wow, thanks for sending a wonderful newsletter just when I needed it. I would like to become more involved with DMCW.
As you can tell, I am obviously a complete novice at this sort of stuff, but I am willing to learn. I’m reading Loaves and Fishes and trying to get a peaceful message out to the people in my parish and my community, but it’s so difficult because everyone, it seems, is unwilling to open their hearts to the notion that peaceful solutions are possible.
What can I do, how can I become involved in DMCW, do I sound like a complete fool? I hope to hear from you soon!
God bless,
Carol, Estherville, IA
11/16/01
Leigh, Hamburg, IA
11/09/01
