Editorial

The capture of Saddam Hussein just before Christmas seems appropriate as we celebrate this season of "peace on earth and good will toward men."

We hope that his arrest will help improve security in Iraq and lead to building a lasting peace in that nation. Hopefully, too, other countries of the world and the United Nations will become more involved in assisting the United States and the people of Iraq as they forge a new government there.

But even though Saddam Hussein is behind bars, the threat of violence has not ended. Terrorists come from many parts of the world, not just Iraq. We must continue to be vigilant.

Work for peace. As we observe the birth of the Prince of Peace, we must strive to work for peace. In his annual message for the World Day of Peace, Jan. 1, Pope John Paul II acknowledged that nations have a right to defend themselves against terrorism, but he warned against the unilateral use of force.

The Holy Father said countries must respect international law and work through international bodies such as the United Nations to protect nations and settle disputes. Besides condemning terrorism, the pope appealed for peace in Palestine and the Middle East.

In his message, the pope said, "Peace remains possible. And if peace is possible, it is also a duty."

While respect for law is the first path to peace, the Holy Father said order is not transformed into peace without love and forgiveness. That is particularly true in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East, he said, where "a solution to the grave problems . . . of those regions will not be found until a decision is made to transcend the logic of simple justice and to be open also to the logic of forgiveness."

What we can do. What can we do to help bring about peace in the world? All of us can pray - daily, if possible - for peace in the world and especially in the Holy Land. Prayer can be a powerful instrument for peace.

Peace also begins with our own interaction with people around us. As it says in the song, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."

How do we deal with conflict in our homes, neighborhoods, churches, schools, and places of work? Are we willing to listen to others' points of view? Do we seek common ground? Do we forgive those who hurt us?

A good New Year's resolution is to examine our own lives and look at ways we can be peace-makers. Let's make peace a priority in our prayers and actions for 2004.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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To the editor:

George Weigel's column in the 12/11/03 edition of the Catholic Herald ignores some history, history in the making as I understood it at the time.

I served in the military from 1942-1945; and as far as I can determine or recall, none of us thought we were fighting to preserve the right (?!) of foreign religious leaders to dictate to American legislators how they should vote.

We would have rejected- and still do - that concept. If that were the sole reason for our service, we probably would have refused to serve.

And someone should remind the Curia that without that service, the Bishop of Rome would now likely hold that office at the pleasure of whoever is in charge in Berlin.

I also recall that as a grade student in 1928, I was vaguely aware of considerable concern that if Al Smith were elected president, we would be subject to the orders of the pope. Governor Smith denied that, but a third of a century later, the Vatican seems determined to prove the public's concern was - and is - legitimate.

Karl Anderson, Lake Mills