From the editor's desk

As I write in Holy Week, the folly of the Bush-inspired war on Iraq becomes increasingly obvious to all. Secular commentators Eric Margolis and John Pilger write of this on pages eight and nine. As we approach Good Friday when the non-violent Christ showed us the way to ultimate. Shalom, one thinks of the powerful speech Bishop Tom Gumbleton gave in Toronto a month ago, quoting JP II's comment that "War is always a failure." The stunning and lamentable failure of "macho" Christianity which wraps itself in a flag is an embarrassing reminder that the followers of the crucified have yet miles to walk on history's Via Dolorosa. Karen Armstrong's memoir (p.14) is another reminder of this.

In Toronto and in many other cities, seeds of hope germinate in Passover/Eastertide. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church hosted the third annual Peace Seder on April 3. Here, was a foretaste of the reign of God, as members of the Jewish, Arab, Palestinian, Israeli, Muslim and Christian communities gathered in solidarity to pray for peace and reconciliation in Israel and Palestine.

The gospel of Peace, so dear to our hearts and so often absent from congregational concerns needs more incarnations such as these. It is time to salute the indefatigable work of now-retired senator Doug Roche. Katie Marshall Flaherty's enthusiastic review of Doug's latest clarion call is on page 14. Roche's departure from the Senate will only ensure that he may be appearing in a church hall near you in the future.

Dolores Campbell s nice salute to the CWL women in Glace Bay (p.6) is another reminder of the many ways that this organization has evolved in its long history.

Finally, our talented layout artist Dean Jalonen has just released his first CD. Check it out at www.thesoles.ca

Ted Schmidt

editor@catholicnewtimes.org

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