Peace activist speaks at retreat

A participant at a recent retreat at Pyramid Life Center in Paradox asked if it was possible for God's grace to work through a stubborn, disinterested person.

"That's my life story, thank you," replied retreat leader Rev. Daniel Berrigan.

Catholics came to Pyramid Life Center July 18-21 to reflect on Scripture, peace, and social responsibility with Father Berrigan, a noted anti-war advocate and Jesuit priest; and Rev. John Dear, SJ, an author, pastor in New Mexico and peace activist currently campaigning to shut down the Los Alamos nuclear facility.

Q and A

The attendees guarded against chilly morning air in sweatshirts and flannels as they listened to Father Berrigan answer questions about Jesus' miracles, God's grace, and sins against the Holy Spirit. He spoke on New York City's "harassed, hurried 'briefcase culture'" before moving on to questions on social justice.

Entering his eighth decade, the radical Jesuit -- well-known for his vehement anti-war rhetoric and nonviolent protests during the Vietnam War -- continues to speak out on social justice matters. In an interview with The Evangelist, he discussed the aftermath of the second Gulf War and the effectiveness of today's peace activists.

"It seems to me that [Pres. George W.] Bush brings his whole life to the job," Father Berrigan said. "And what he brings includes a father who started the first Gulf War, support for death row in Texas, and a God that his life has told him is true. Is that the God of nonviolence, of healing, of compassion -- or the god of vengeance and death? What god is he invoking?"

'Unbelievable contempt'

Father Berrigan saw "unbelievable contempt for the hopes of people around the world" on the part of Pres. Bush and of British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the events that led up to the first shots fired in Iraq in March.

"Mr. Blair and Mr. Bush are bucking the whole world," he said. "The war they have chosen to wage was a war people didn't want."

Father Berrigan, who with his brother Philip was imprisoned in 1968 for burning Selective Service draft records in Catonsville, Md., sees a great fear in U.S. troops in Iraq currently combating daily guerilla attacks from the ousted Baath party's supporters.

"It took 10 years in Vietnam for the soldiers to say, 'We're going home, we want out.' Today, this is happening in two months," he said.

Still hope

Father Berrigan commended peace activists' efforts to forestall and protest the war in Iraq as "marvelous" and told them not to lose heart.

"I've always felt responsible for the truth of life over death, prevailing by the word of Christ. I have not felt responsible for being heard. Whether it takes off or not, we are responsible for offering the Word," he explained.

"My own hope," he concluded, "is that no good person gives up and says we are hopeless and helpless and that we can do nothing."

(Learn more about Pyramid Life Center at www.pyramidlife.org, or call 426-4284.)

(7/31/03) [[In-content Ad]]