On communist priests

To be able to understand the motives behind a certain newspaper's writings about Communist priests, we shall have to analyze the McCarthyist phenomenon in general. Any ruling class has defense systems, some informal and others formal. In the case of an unpopular and minority ruling class, it is necessary to seek effective means to disqualify their adversaries in public opinion. Public opinion is more easily oriented with adjectives than with philosophical discussions.

To discredit a source it is enough to affix the epithet of "rotten." To have a dog chased away, although it may be in fine condition, it is enough to give it the adjective "rabid." In the early part of our era, to address an individual as "Christian" was a means of placing him outside of the Law. Later, the enemy of the Roman Empire was called "barbarian" to justify this persecution. Before the French Revolution, free-thinkers, liberals, democrats, plebeians, and so forth, were persecuted. Today, the best way to unleash persecution against an element dangerous to the ruling class is to class is to call it "Communist."

The Colombian ruling class has considered the church and the army its unconditional allies, and it is natural that when nonconformist priests or military men appear, this class feels that its internal structure is beginning to fall apart. Therefore, the nonconformist priests or military men constitute a much more dangerous element to the system than do Communists affiliated to the party. From this follows the necessity for the ruling class to discredit them, branding them as Communists. The press, servant to this class, cannot adopt a different policy.

COPYRIGHT 1984 Monthly Review Foundation, Inc.
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