The U.S. experienced a horrific experience itself not too long ago in a small town in Wisconsin against members of a Sikh Temple. As a result, our presiding Archbishop wrote a call for peace.
I thought at this time, it might be appropriate to share again Archbishop William Johnson, D.D., Metropolitan and presiding Archbishop for the American Catholic Church in the United States, the Catholic community in which I hope to become a priest one day.
Here is Archbishop Johnson's message:
Archbishop Johnson's remarks could easily be applied to the filmmaker of this horrific film which defile a religion's leader.
In light of recent events of the riots in the Muslim world over a terrible and undeserving film created by one individual, it seemed appropriate to call along with Archbishop Johnson for Peace and Tolerance among all religions. There is a book written by an Episcopal Priest, Matthew Fox, entitled, "One River, Many Wells".
In chapter 1 of his book, Fr Fox quotes author Howard Thurman, author of Creative Encounter.
"It is my believe that in the Presence of God, there is neither male, nor female, white nor black, Gentile nor Jew, Protestant nor Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, nor Moslem [sic], but a human spirit stripped to the literal substance of itself before God"
Fr Fox throughout this book looks through each of the religions listed above and reminds us that though all have their own leader, own style, own liturgy, own practice, they are but many wells leading to One River - God.
As a seminarian I have had the opportunity to read many books, and been exposed to many theological ideas, Catholic and others, and I too must pray that God of all of us will bring peace to the hearts of all those suffering, those feeling insulted by one man's incorrect view of a great religious leader, those feeling angered by the callus approach one man's vision in a small insignificant film.
I pray that those who feel anger will remember their great religious leader and find peace. Fr Fox may be right (along with Howard Thurman), that we really are many wells leading to One River and when we insult another's religion, we really insult not only his, but ours as well.
Peace
Bro Jeff
