Category: Politics and Society

Politics and society in Cambodia

What about the Beatitudes?

In a recent interview about Christianity in society, Fr. James Martin commented about traditional Christians always wanting to post the Ten Commandments in schools and public places.

I often wonder why we don’t put the Beatitudes in classrooms since it’s always the 10 Commandments. What about “Blessed are the poor?” It’s amazing to me that mostly Christians want the Old Testament in the classrooms and put on signs, but what about “Blessed are the poor, blessed are those who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are the peacemakers?” Why is there never a push for that attitude? It’s a very strange thing to me. It is because [the Beatitudes] are hard and it’s stuff that we want to avoid.

Respect for God’s Children

Whether it is people in Gaza or Ukraine or Nigeria or Iran or Minneapolis, or LGBTQ or migrants or death row inmates, we are all beloved children of God.

And all of us deserve to be treated with dignity. I think the church has been very clear about that, and I’m grateful for that. That’s not a political message; that’s the Gospel.

~ Fr. James Martin, in his book Work in Progress

Another rally–almost

Many of the immigrants currently at risk of being detained and deported have actually been involved in the process of seeking legalization and have been following immigration rules and guidelines. Although trying to do what is right, they currently are uncertain what to do. Yesterday a rally was planned to bring together people who might be able to help bring the present situation to a peaceful and constructive conclusion.

A newspaper article about this gathering described it as a “protest” and the organizers felt that might attract the attention of authorities and increase the possibility of detention so they decided to cancel the gathering. Organizers stayed at the site to explain to those coming what had happened.

Immigration Rally

Yesterday a vigil was held to support immigrants and decry violence targeting them. U.S. Representative Morgan McGarvey spoke to the assembled people at a Louisville park. The vigil was scheduled to take place at a Catholic parish but was moved at the last minute.

The change of venue to the park created traffic jams on the street near the park and parking problems that delayed the arrival of many and may have dissuaded others from attempting to get near the site.
The sun was setting and it was really cold as people gathered in the park for what turned out to be an outdoor vigil.

The increased number of younger people was notable and encouraging.

Representative McGarvey spoke to the gathered crowd in a shortened program. The traffic was so bad and we had to walk so far from a parking place that I arrived at the actual vigil site so late that I caught only the last minute of the program and then we all headed back to the warmth of the cars.

War is not the answer

“Catholic personnel in the US military could in good conscience consider disobeying orders to attack Greenland, according to the bishop responsible for their pastoral care.

The Archbishop of the Military Services Timothy Broglio said personnel “could be put in a situation where they’re being ordered to do something that’s morally questionable” if the US acted on President Donald Trump’s threats of military action to take control of Greenland.”

Week of Christian Unity

Today is the first day of the week of prayer for Christian Unity. Jesus emphasized our unity as God’s children and as brothers and sisters, and especially now, when there are so many divisive forces at work in our world and our politics, it is even more imperative that we Christians work together to create a new environment of peace and collaboration.