Editorial

Jesus in disguise: In solidarity with the poor

Can you imagine going to bed hungry? Or not having clean water for bathing, cooking, or washing clothes? Or being put in prison for no reason?

People in many parts of the world confront these situations every day. They struggle to obtain the basic necessities of life while also facing violence, war, imprisonment, and death.

Sometimes these people seem to be faceless to us. We find it difficult to imagine their lives on a day-to-day basis. We would like to help the poor in other parts of the world, but it seems to be an overwhelming task. How can we even make a difference in their lives?

One concrete way to be in solidarity with the poor in other parts of the world is through our participation in Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS is the overseas arm of the U.S. Catholic bishops and all American Catholics.

CRS works in solidarity with the poor in more than 80 countries. It gives hope to a world in need both through emergency relief and also through long-term sustainable development projects.

We probably hear more about CRS' response to war and natural disasters. When there is a devastating flood or earthquake, CRS gets aid to those in need right away.

One reason for the efficiency of CRS is the agency's working relationship already existing in so many countries. The CRS development programs are already in place, helping to improve the living conditions of the poor and advocating on behalf of the powerless.

The Diocese of Madison is embarking on one of those CRS projects: the Global Solidarity Partnership Program. A delegation from Madison traveled to Ghana last year and is taking further steps to develop a partnership with the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in Ghana.

A special section in this week's Catholic Herald [see online article here] provides more details on this partnership. The two dioceses will share spiritual, cultural, social, and material gifts as they learn more about each other.

It is hoped that people and Catholic parishes in both Wisconsin and Ghana will get to know each other, build relationships, and grow together. They will no longer be faceless people, but people with faces.

We could even go so far as to say that people throughout the world are "Jesus in disguise." This is the theme of this year's CRS annual appeal. CRS asks Catholics to contribute to their vital work in their parishes. Please give generously.

For more information on the Global Solidarity Partnership Program with Ghana, contact the diocesan Office for Justice and Peace, 608-821-3086. Discover "Jesus in disguise" for yourself.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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To the editor:

Our entire family was overwhelmed with the benefit given on our behalf in Clinton on Saturday, March 8, at the St. Stephen Family Center. We have felt embraced by community, family, and friends since this journey into cancer began. As we looked around on Saturday, we saw so many people it was unbelievable. We looked at each person there as a prayer.

For all of you who contributed in any way to the benefit, "thank you" is not enough. Although our "thank you" is certainly from the heart and genuine in every way, "thank you" nowhere near coveys the love, joy, hope, happiness, encouragement, spiritual renewal, and deep appreciation we feel. All of you and many others have touched our hearts deeply. Some of you we know well, others are acquaintances, and others we have not yet met.

To all of you for all you have done for our family we want you to feel our love and heartfelt thanks. Your kindness has been a source of inspiration and hope. To all of you who have held us close in prayer, the uplifting in prayer is what has kept us strong and will see us through this journey. Your love and concern in our time of need will never be forgotten. God knew the best way to express his love to us, and He did it through you. "Thank you" is not enough when someone cares the way you care. "Thank you" is not enough, it is merely a start.

God bless, from our hearts,
Mark and Donna Beals, and family, Clinton

Force should be last resort

To the editor:

At least 13 countries possess weapons of mass destruction, including such untrusted nations as Libya and Syria. North Korea has chemical weapons, a nuclear bomb, a nuclear program, and it has demonstrated defiance.

Iraq's military might peaked in 1990, after it enjoyed years of support from the U.S. and Britain. Even then, after eight years of trying, it was unable to defeat an Iran greatly diminished by its own revolution. Over the last 12 years, Iraq has been crippled and weakened by U.N. sanctions.

In Church teaching, force should be a last resort. Why Iraq? Why now?

Fr. David Wanish, Madison

Life is an important issue

To the editor:

Katherine Brophy of Madison writes in the March 13 issue "Don't vote on only one issue."

For the past 30 years, 4,000 innocent babies per day have been murdered by abortion, over 40 million of them all together. Abortion is about a life and death issue. Economics is about personal and corporate economics. From God's standpoint, which is more important: life or money?

In the 1998 document of U.S. Bishops, "Living the Gospel of Life," there are three key themes: 1. Catholics have an obligation to vote; 2. The right to life is the most fundamental of all rights. Any candidate is to be evaluated above all on how it impacts human life and dignity; 3. No public official of any party or religion can responsibly take a pro-choice stance on abortion since it contradicts the teaching of the Catholic Church.

The right to life is the most fundamental of all rights.

Ellen Timmerman, Cuba City