Chris
McDonnell, UK
christymac733@gmail.com
Previous articles by Chris Comments
welcome here
November
14, 2018
A
bird with a broken wing cannot fly
A
bird needs two wings to fly; one, however big and strong it might be is
just not enough.
Now
as some of the dust blown about by the Mid-term elections in the US begins
to settle, there is time to reflect on the consequences of the Vote. One
thing is sure, the acrimony of recent days is not over, further
questioning and debate remains.
During
those pre-election days I watched a number of news programmes put out on
US networks. Amongst the plethora of political jumble few words remain.
One half-hour segment, devoted to a stump speech by Vice-President Joe
Biden, a man who worked so closely with President Obama for eight years,
was the exception. Passionate though he was, a man of true conviction
politics, he was also generous in his desire to heal a deeply divided
nation. He rejected the use of the word 'enemy' for a political opponent
with whom he differed. He came across as a man of compromise and reason,
someone who sought the common good, who rejected the animosity that has
been the trade mark of the US political scene since that fateful election
in 2016.
The
hype put out by the White House regarding the 'caravan' of assorted people
in central America was unbelievable. So too was the incumbent's
description of 'beautiful barbed wire' being put out along the southern
border. How de-valued has our use of language become?
There
has been a continual analysis of an adolescent use of words. Their
delivery has damaged the dignity of Office, caused anguish to many
he has intentionally hurt and have offered a litany of lies under the
guise of truth. The conclusion of Bob Woodward's recent book 'Fear' has
the direct quote, 'the man is a liar'. I have omitted the expletive.
Enough said.
What
of the future? How will the Democracy of immigrants that forms the United
States rebuild trust and civility, what is required of each and every
citizen?
The
give and take of political argument can only take place in a climate of
listening. Mouthing words to deaf ears is a waste of time and only leads
to frustration. The checks and balances of the US political system are
being tested in no uncertain measure. With majorities in the House and
Senate no longer the domain of one Party, it will be interesting to watch
how the coming weeks and months play out, where compromise might be found
and a language of care and honesty re-instated in the public forum.
Just
as there is this fracture in our public life, for not only the US but
other Western Democracies are also under threat, so too within our
Christian community are fault lines and tensions apparent.
The
stridency of language used on some websites, supposedly supporting the
Church, does no credit to the originators. The incidental pressure that
Francis has experienced lacks a charitable framework to say the least.
Critical comment is acceptable if it is made for the right motive. All too
often the words chosen and the context of their utterance add to the
problem being addressed rather than contributing to a solution.
Cardinal
Sean O'Malley of Boston was quoted recently in the Boston Globe “Every
time I think we’re rounding [the corner], there’s another explosion
that happens, it’s very disappointing.’’ There has been a shift in
approach to the whole crisis caused by the admission of abuse, with the
focus now moving onto those who may have been responsible for the numerous
cover-ups. The article in the Globe goes on to note that 'More than 130
bishops – almost one-third of all living bishops – have been accused
during their careers of failing to adequately respond to sexual misconduct
in their dioceses, according to an examination of thousands of court
records, media reports, and interviews with church officials, victims, and
attorneys.'
That
is a disturbing statement and reflects a pattern that, in varying degrees,
is being found in many other countries. We have reached a tipping-point
where too much is now known that cannot be ignored, where the reality of
the crisis must be fully addressed, however painful that might be. One of
Leonard Cohen's final tracks, 'Samson in New Orleans' has these lines.
You
said, "How could this happen?"
You said, "How can this be?"
The
remnant of dishonor
On the bridge of misery?
And
we who cried for mercy
From the bottom of the pit
Was
our prayer so damn unworthy
The sun rejected it?
How
could it happen indeed. Our perception of the Church has taken a severe
buffeting in the storms that surround us. Only through the courtesy of our
language and the sincerity of our prayer will we rebuild trust. A bird
with one wing cannot fly, we all have a responsibility for the future
confidence of faith.
END
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