From the Director - Violence ‘up, close, and personal’

Columban Fr Gary WalkerOne of the highlights of the Easter ceremonies for many people is the entrance of the paschal candle into the darkened Church and the priest or deacon singing, “Christ our Light”. The symbolism is obvious but powerful, Christ is the light in the darkness of the world.

Our Columban Christmas Appeal last year was on the theme of ‘Jesus is the light’ linked to a project to supply light to a village in Sindh Province, Pakistan, to poor people who have never had electricity at night in their homes. Thanks to our benefactors we will be able to make this happen through renewable solar energy. Another positive note is that the villagers in question were left homeless and without possessions after a series of floods. Through the generous assistance of Columban benefactors they were able to get title to the land where they live.
 
And so we carry on in the midst of the darkness of violence that overshadows the world. Last year was a dispiriting year of violence which was ‘up, close, and personal’.

Islamic jihadists are the latest in a long line of people who use violent means to make their statements or to achieve their ends. They cannot succeed despite the fear-mongering of some media.

The atrocities in Paris hurt but did not mortally wound France or destabilise it. Other countries, even Lebanon, have not been as fortunate and know the internal difficulties such attacks make on the country.

How do we respond to the atrocities?
We try never to lose heart though tested badly. Columbans can attest to this as the Society has had 27 missionaries ‘killed in action’, the most recent was Columban Fr Rufus Halley who was killed in Mindanao in the Philippines on the August 28, 2001.

As Catholic or a Christian people, the only response is to continue to follow the Gospel that says, Christ is the Light for us and present with us.

Pope Francis hit the nail on the head when he said that “everything is interconnected, we can do much more when we work together”.

I would like to thank Columban benefactors for their response to God’s call through their support and prayers. In this coming year, let us walk together in the light and in the truth.

God bless you.

Fr Gary Walker SSC
director@columban.org.au

From the Director - Written with a shaky hand  LISTEN TO: From the Director - Violence ‘up, close, and personal’
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