Education! So as not to forget the dead and not to die ourselves

A year ago we said, “No to the war, yes to America”. Following the Pope, we felt that the war was atrociously incapable of resolving things. We were right: the problems of before, terrorism in particular, are all still present and very serious, as Spain demonstrates. We had, however, the clear awareness that our disagreement with Bush’s choices did not lessen our belonging to a tradition, to a culture of liberty, democracy and pluralism of which America is the realized expression, no matter how imperfect.

Precisely because we love peace, now that the war declared by America is over, we must continue to oppose the other war that continues: terrorism’s declared war, which a weak and confused ideology – apparently prevalent in our countries – has no idea how to oppose adequately.

The public squares, throughout Europe are filled frequently, even weekly, with cries against America, together with those against any government action; terrorism is also denounced, but as a reaction, an apparently inevitable behavior that thus in some way is justified. While throughout the world the innocent are blown to pieces by bombs, the demonstrators do not disband their marches against everything, but sing hymns to a peace without sacrifice that lets us be and doesn’t disturb a way of life that should be comfortably progressive. So while the crowds tend to enter the government, the government tends to take on the tones of the crowds, with everyone running the risk of inaction.

But, it’s obvious, “this way” nothing is changed and nothing is built. We don’t need yelled, vague protests, but education. Our tradition – yes, our Christian tradition rejected by the European Constitution – cannot be denigrated and corroded, but must be rediscovered in its power to enhance the value of human dignity. Our responsibilities to the world cannot be evaded with impunity, but must be faced, so as not to forget the dead and not to die ourselves. Our free and pluralistic democracy cannot be absurdly branded a regime, but must be upheld through respect for institutions, a respect that is necessary so they can be criticized and corrected.

As prophesied by Cardinal Newman, an Anglican pastor converted to Catholicism, the time has come in which Catholics who live by faith, in order to be such, must defend reason. And reason itself tells us that the time has come in which Catholics who want to live more deeply in society, must defend the State: not just any State, but that of our common good.

Communion and Liberation