"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”(Lk 12:49)
From the Editors Desk
By Clare Zanzucchi
Dear readers,
News continues to reach us about tragic violence in Iraq, Pakistan, Nigeria, Libya and many other countries where the publication of cartoons depicting Mohammed in the Western press has ignited tense situations of political instability and strife.
One of our readers shared this concern: “I receive—from ‘right wingers’ and also from Christian publications—inflammatory proposals based on alleged Islamic intentions to kill all unbelievers. But Iraq has always tolerated Chaldean Catholics. The Ottoman Empire was quite tolerant as well—Christians had restrictions, but they weren’t exterminated. There must be a Christian answer. Christ commanded us to love our enemies. What does Living City say?”
Just recently Pope Benedict XVI assailed all violence done in the name of God. “The fruit of faith in God is not devastating antagonism,” he said, “but the spirit of fraternity and collaboration in favor of the common good.”
This is precisely the message Living City wants to carry. Many articles in this issue focus on the need for dialogue and concrete examples on both the personal and societal levels. We hope these pages will inspire you and give you hope, as we resolve to commit our lives to building unity and peace wherever we are.
One of our readers shared this concern: “I receive—from ‘right wingers’ and also from Christian publications—inflammatory proposals based on alleged Islamic intentions to kill all unbelievers. But Iraq has always tolerated Chaldean Catholics. The Ottoman Empire was quite tolerant as well—Christians had restrictions, but they weren’t exterminated. There must be a Christian answer. Christ commanded us to love our enemies. What does Living City say?”
Just recently Pope Benedict XVI assailed all violence done in the name of God. “The fruit of faith in God is not devastating antagonism,” he said, “but the spirit of fraternity and collaboration in favor of the common good.”
This is precisely the message Living City wants to carry. Many articles in this issue focus on the need for dialogue and concrete examples on both the personal and societal levels. We hope these pages will inspire you and give you hope, as we resolve to commit our lives to building unity and peace wherever we are.
~ Clare Zanzucchi
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© 2012 by the Focolare Movement (New York) •