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Fr. Benjamin J. Urmston, S.J. Web Page Ignatian Spirituality and Peace, a Path to Peace with Justice 3rd ANNUAL FIVE PILLARS OF A NEW WORLD BUILDING
WAY TOWARD VISION
Ignatian Spirituality and Peace, a Path to Peace with Justice This web-page contains my vision and hope following my experiences, my reading and research, my faith. If I mis-represent anyone or any group mentioned, I will gladly correct what is said. I believe in responsible freedom of speech, but I cannot represent all opinions in this small space. As a medical doctor believes in health rather than sickness, I believe in a peace with justice rather than war, violence, and injustice. Unless I quote a particular source, what is said here contains my own insights. Within the limited time available to me, I will try to clarify any position expressed. As St. Ignatius says in the beginning of the Spiritual Exercises, it is presupposed that one is more ready to put a good interpretation on another's statement rather than to condemn it. If one cannot save his neighbor's statement, he should ask him how he means it. I don't think that labeling or name-calling furthers rational and loving discourse, I try to consider a particular position on its intrinsic merits rather than who is saying it although I obviously believe in God's Word and my Catholic Faith. I critique structures and policies as I think any responsible citizen should, but I certainly don't attempt to judge the conscience of individual persons. I am not politically partisan, but I feel free to praise or criticize particular political programs and policies. I don't think I'm too old to grow, and I welcome dialogue. Xavier's Peace Studies Minor is an academic program. Xavier Peace and Justice Programs is a co-curriculum program which is part of Student Life and Leadership. The two programs are separate but friends who often collaborate. Members of the Peace Studies Committee and teachers in the Peace Studies Program do not necessarily endorse all the positions described here nor do I necessarily endorse all the positions of all the groups mentioned. God gave us hearts and ears to listen carefully but minds to distinguish. At times I hear arguments like "Environmentalists are for clean air and pure water. But Communists are for clean air and pure water. Therefore clean air and pure water are bad. And environmentalists are Communists." Such sloppy logic is unworthy of thinking citizens or responsible journalists. Rev. Benjamin J. Urmston, S.J. 
Jesuit priest at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio e-mail:
urmston@xavier.edu
Page last updated on Feb. 20, 2008 |
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