Below is an expanded version of my previous post which I sent as an editorial to the Delaware County Times and Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dear Editors,
Once
again a tragedy, no an amoral act of hateful terror and cowardice, grips our
nation. As I read more today about the shooting at the Sekh Temple in
Wisconsin I grew very sad and angry. A deliberate act of hateful
bigotry, ignorance, and murder was perpetrated by a person filled with hate against a
peaceful religious group who seemed different. Our "founding fathers" must
be turning in their graves, and certainly Our God is weeping for his
children, yet again.
It seems tragically ironic that one of the founding impetuses that drove
the founding of this land was the search for religious and political
freedom by those who were different and in the minority. Now those today
who seem religiously or ethically different are too increasingly often
the victims of hate filled bigotry and violence.
To those in the political realm who use words and policy proposals of
division and fear to plant these seeds of hatred for their own political
gain and power, I say,"Stop, remember, think! We are Americans, all of
us. Americans are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Sekh, Buddhists,
Pagans, and Atheists alike. We are Democrats, Republicans, Socialsts,
Greens, Independents. We have settled this land with ancestors from all
the inhabited continents. That is the unique greatness, glory, and
ministry of this great country to the world community. This is what has
always made us a shining light to the world."
We, as citizens responsible for the continuing struggle and this great
experiment of freedom, democracy, and human rights, must hold our
leaders and our communities responsible for living up to and fostering
this ideal, and confront those who distort it and abuse it for power,
fear, or control. We are the very seeds of the future, and we can do
this. We can meet this challenge of our time in the same greatness that
gave birth to this nation of liberty and people-power.
To any religious leaders who distort and abuse the tremendous power of
people's faith entrusted to them by using this faith and their religion
to oppress others beliefs, or place their own religion as superior to
another, I say, "Shame on you. Would the God in whom you believe
countenance such words or behavior? NO! We may understand the Divine
differently, but it is the same Spirit that draws us to seek out that
which is beyond our human imperfections to the light of the perfect
love, and that which can bring us together."
Whether committed citizen, or devoted faithful believer, we should mourn
together, make the tears of the Wisconsin Sekh community our own, draw
strength from them, and vow to commit ourselves to fighting and
resisting these subtle and overt acts of hatred and division. That which
binds us is far greater than that which divides us!
Fr. Joseph Augustine Menna, AIHM
Pastor
St. Mary of Grace Independent Catholic Church
Media, PA
www.inclusivecatholics.org
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
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2 comments:
Absolutely beautiful! Wish more Americans felt this way! Something we should all strive for in our lives!
Beautiful, Ftr. Joseph! Wish more thought/acted as you!
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