Stirring Things Up in Western Europe
AN UNUSUAL PRO-LIFE/PEACE JOURNEY
Seeing that they have so much in common, it has always seemed odd to me that anti-abortion and anti-nuclear-arms campaigners have so little to do with each other. Together, they hold that the willful slaughter of innocent human beings is unacceptable (whether as a medical or a military option); and yet many peace/anti-abortion advocates find themselves isolated on opposite ends of the political spectrum, as if they had been dealt out like a pack of cards: right, left, right, left.
For five years I have been trying to build a bridge between these movements in the U.S. I recently had the opportunity to bring this message to Western Europe through a seven-week speaking tour. I learned that in Europe, as in America, just to stir up the desire for reconciliation — that is, to stay close to Jesus, who wants to “break down the walls that divide us” — is the most crucial task of all.
Rimini, Italy
My first week was spent at a huge youth/cultural festival called MEETING ‘84 as the guest of Comunione e Liberazione, an Italian Catholic movement of students and young workers. MEETING ‘84 is a unique kind of annual theme expo — this year’s theme: America and the Americas. The expo is Catholic, but not “churchy”; socially engaged, but not overtly partisan.
In fact, although the convention tents were full of activity, it was hard for me to get a handle on just what, in fact, was being brought together and celebrated, or why.
You May Also Enjoy
The U.S. bishops have buried the burning political issues of the day under an avalanche of lesser considerations.
U.S. media and the American judicial system will gladly go after a high-ranking Catholic priest or bishop but will run cover for powerful Hollywood directors and actors.
Sweden's "first feminist government" sent a delegation to sign a trade deal in Iran, where the women felt compelled to wear headscarves and heavy coats.