I write in response to an article titled, “The deafening silence of the church” in your June 14th publication of the paper.
Fr. Paul keeps lamenting that the Church is silent, when this is far from the truth. If Fr. Gerald was paying attention he would have seen the late Pope Francis voice his concern from the inception of the conflict.
If Father Gerald does not remember, let us remind him of Pope Francis’ comments, “One who is attacked has the right of self-defense,” the pope said, “but I am very concerned about the total siege under which Palestinians are living in Gaza, where there also have been many innocent victims. Terrorism and extremism will not help reach a solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, but only increase hatred, violence and vengeance and only make each other suffer.”
I have heard many Christian denominations speaking out and sensitising their congregation and followers just like Father Gerald is doing about the Israeli-Gaza conflict. What exactly does Father Gerald want them to do more? Go and fight? Seems like Father Gerald wants more to be done, but one could say all he is doing is talking just like everyone else is talking.
Father Gerald last paragraph, (“If it was to make noise about the wrongs and picket abortion clinics Catholics and Christians “day day in dat”. As much as I believe that life begins in the womb, we Catholics and Christians care more about protecting the life of the unborn than that of the living.”) indicates he surely does not follow news and is out of touch with the Church as even the new Pope has added his voice to bringing an end to this unnecessary conflict. Also, Bishops around the world have spoken out against this and educated their congregation about this.
Another thing if my memory serves me right, would recall Father Gerald suspension which was not for protesting the conflict, but he was suspended for breaking protocol. He knows very well being a Catholic Priest, one cannot just get up on the Altar be it at the beginning, during or the end of Mass or service and say something without informing the celebrant and then his subsequent disrespect after the proclamation of his suspension only fuel his already miserable state.
Father a word of advice, last time we sought an update we were told there are things that both you and Bishop needed to work on so that you can once again be in communion with your Bishop and the universal Church. Have you been doing that?
Stop saying the Church is not saying anything and the Church is silent, when the Church has indeed been lending their voice to trying to end the violence. In fact, if you were up to date Father Gerald, you would have seen that Israel due to their disappointment with Pope Francis’ stance on the Gaza war did not want to even send their ambassador to the funeral and in his last address on Easter Sunday, he called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
So please stop misleading readers on the Church’s stance not just on the Israeli-Gaza conflict, but all conflicts throughout the world.
Social Observer