CrossCurrents A Catholic Reflects on Faith in Our Times

# 160 Bernard F. Swain, Ph.D. www.CrossCurrents.us

Popes, Presidents, Peacemakers

Going from Christmas to New Year’s, we go from one theme of “Peace on Earth” to the next theme of “World Day of Peace. If ever there is a “best time” to reflect on peace and its prospects, the time is now.

We are less than two months past U.S. elections in which the Iraq war was perhaps the single most important factor causing the Republican reversal and the new Democratic Party majority. But I keep asking myself: what is the real reason Americans are unhappy about the war in Iraq? Is it because they prefer peace—or simply because they prefer winning?

I fear that people rejected the Republicans not because George Bush is fighting the wrong war, but because he is losing it. But what if winning is not the problem? What if the problem is the war itself? There is no more basic question, for if the war itself is wrong, that even victory does not bring success.

Yet it appears our government’s response to the current mess will be to call for a “surge” in troops, as though cranking up the level of armed force will solve the very problem that armed force created in the first place.

If this were all the news the New Year brought, 2007 might look grim indeed. Happily, some leaders have stepped forward to offer a clearer vision and more constructive action than the blunt tool of surging troop levels.

Take President Jimmy Carter. Whatever the rap on his presidency, he has clearly set a new high bar for former Presidents, including the Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity, and the Nobel Peace Prize. And now his new book “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid” challenges current US leaders to act for peace in a meaningful way.

Carter takes his stand on vast experience:

My knowledge of the subject is based on visits to the area during the past 33 years, my detailed study and involvement in peace talks as president, and my leadership role in monitoring the Palestinian elections of 1996, 2005 and 2006.

He concludes that peace in the Middle East hinges on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which he says cannot happen until and unless Israel withdraws from the occupied territories and all parties accept Israel’s right to “live in peace within its legal borders.”

In his judgment, the two sides are incapable of solving this alone, and he cites current conditions as proof positive: the 39-year history of occupation and colonization of Palestinian land by Israel, the segregation of Israeli settlers and Palestinian citizens, the wall enclosing Palestinians into their remaining land.

Given these conditions he concludes that

“It is practically impossible for bitter antagonists to arrange a time, place, agenda and procedures that are mutually acceptable, so an outside instigator or promoter is necessary.”

If the US will not take the initiative, Carter urges joint action by an “international quartet”: The US, UN, European Union, and Russia.

Carter’s position is controversial and already has provoked much flak---but it fulfills a peacemaker’s duty to analyze the obstacles to peace and speak truth to power.

Meanwhile, Pope Benedict has published his message for the 2007 World Day of Peace (January 1), titled THE HUMAN PERSON, THE HEART OF PEACE. In it, he cites his predecessor John Paul II to support his own argument that peace must be built, not on the sand of occupation troops and tight security, but on a firm foundation of human rights and natural law.

Declaring that “the Church champions the fundamental rights of each person,” Benedict finds several instances where “the fundamental human right is not being respected, with serious repercussions for peaceful coexistence.”

First, he cites violations of the right to life through hunger, abortion, embryonic experimentation and euthanasia.

Second, he deplores “the difficulties that both Christians and the followers of other religions frequently encounter in publicly and freely professing their religious convictions.”

Third, he regrets “the many unjust inequalities still tragically present in our world.” He has in mind people who lack access to food, water, shelter, healthcare. He mentions the “grave deprivation afflicting many people, especially in Africa” as the root of violent reactions that wound peace. And he cites cases “where women are still firmly subordinated to the arbitrary decisions of man.” The Pope’s position on such inequalities is unblinking and unmistakable:

There can be no illusion of a secure peace until these forms of discrimination are also overcome, since they injure the personal dignity impressed by the Creator upon every human being.

Fourth, the pope notes “two ecologies” that nurture the “tree of peace”: natural ecology and human ecology. Without one, he says, we jeopardize the other, for they are linked in what he calls a “multifaceted ecology of peace”:

Experience shows that disregard for the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa. It becomes more and more evident that there is an inseparable link between peace with creation and peace among men. Respect for nature is closely linked to the need to establish, between individuals and between nations, relationships that are attentive to the dignity of the person and capable of satisfying his or her authentic needs. The destruction of the environment, its improper or selfish use, and the violent hoarding of the earth's resources cause grievances, conflicts and wars, precisely because they are the consequences of an inhumane concept of development.

To illustrate, the pope warns that the growing crisis over energy supplies might provoke more conflicts as peoples in underdeveloped lands are cut off from the energy sources they need.

To eliminate these causes of war, Benedict calls on all people (not just Catholics or Christians) to reject both (1) Any view of the human race that instills hatred and violence, and (2) Any view of God that justifies such hatred and violence. On this point, his bluntness is positively un-papal: “War in God’s name is never acceptable!”

Benedict admits that his appeal to rights will fail unless rights are always seen (as in the US Declaration of Independence) as “inalienable” gifts bestowed by the creator. Otherwise, terrorist threats might tempt us to suspend rights out of fear:

The new shape of conflicts, especially since the terrorist threat unleashed completely new forms of violence, demand that the international community reaffirm international humanitarian law, and apply it to all present-day situations of armed conflict, including those not currently provided for by international law. Moreover, the scourge of terrorism demands a profound reflection on the ethical limits restricting the use of modern methods of guaranteeing internal security.

Finally, the Pope notes that nations acquiring nuclear weapons have revived the “profound anxieties” of the Cold War. But he rejects measures based on a double-standard designed to prevent new nuclear powers well except in the old ones:

The way to ensure a future of peace for everyone is found not only in international accords for the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, but also in the determined commitment to seek their reduction and definitive dismantling.

Despite his reputation as a stern traditionalist, this Pope’s take on peace exhibits a peacemaker’s profound willingness to champion the powerless (always war’s victims) over those who profit from war. For him, war is always a sign of failure—so victory is never a success.

As I reflect on these Popes and Presidents (two former, two active) and read Jimmy Carter and Benedict XVI on peace, I am struck by three things: (1) How devoted they are to peace above all, even if it means taking unpopular positions, (2) How wise they are to propose a peace based on more than force of arms, and (3) How badly our war-torn nation needs such devoted wise leadership if we are to see peace in our lifetime.

© Bernard F. Swain PhD 2006

Send Your Comments and Questions to bfswain@juno.com

Dr. Swain’s opinions do not represent the views of this parish or any other official body.

Bernie Swain has devoted more than 30 years to adult spiritual formation in dioceses in the US, Canada, and France. Since 1991 he has maintained a private practice as trainer, teacher, and consultant to leaders in parishes and other religious organizations. He holds degrees in theology and political science from Holy Cross, Harvard, The University of Paris, and The University of Chicago.

His writings include Liberating Leadership (Harper & Row, 1986) and more than 200 articles in periodicals such as The National Catholic Reporter, Commonweal, The Miami Herald, The Catholic Free Press, The Pilot, Harvard Theological Review, and Liturgy.

A lifelong layperson, he lives in Boston with his wife and three children. Visit his website at:

http://www.CrossCurrents.us

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