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In Madrid
The Conference of Religious Spanish
Orders had invited me to speak on the subject: " New frontiers
for today's mission ", I had the feeling of breathing the
offshore wind. The person in charge met me at the Madrid airport
and quickly put me at ease: " Everything you want to say,
say it. We are very open. "
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The assembly of nearly two hundred people
actually showed a remarkable openness. Most of them had lived
in Africa or Latin America in risky places where the lives of
women, men and children were in danger. The lives of these missionaries
had been changed. |
Staying at the nuns' House, I celebrated
mass the best I could in Spanish! |
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All the religious orders present
at the Convention knew each other. Each had an international
implication. They were all used to working together and keep
contact. I witnessed their joyful reunion.
We spoke about AIDS in African countries and what is done in
the field of prevention against AIDS. We also talked about the
arms trade and what is done by the " Justice and Peace"
committees.
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Religious life is not removed from the
great problems of society. It is where the action is.
When we hold the hand of the poor, we prepare the roads for peace.
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The tragedy of Beit Hanoun
- The massacre in the middle of the night of 19 Palestinian
civilians by Israeli shells has caused indignation. Women and
children have perished.
A demonstration was organized on Bastille Square in Paris. We
were in shock.
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The demonstrators expressed their anger and their solidarity
with the Palestinian people who has suffered an endless humiliation
every day, has been hurt in its flesh and has been deprived of
its rights. |
Flags of the organizations were streaming in the wind. I recognized
the Hezbollah flags. The banners, slogans, condemned the colonial
politics of Israel and the inertia of the international community.
Conversations were being heard all around me:
"Using targeted shots, the Israeli army killed the leaders
of the Hamas. How can the Hamas be expected to change while under
pressure? It can only drive the Hamas to breaking off politics
with Israel."
"The Palestinian Authority has been destroyed, how
can it exercise power?" |
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"What the European Community was able to do in Lebanon,
will it have the courage to do the same for the protection of
the Palestinians?"
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- When no more can be expected from the international community,
violence takes over. In their sorrow, the Palestinians cry for
revenge.
We have to hang on, remain confident!
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L'Arche Community
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L'Arche was founded by Lanza del Vasto. Christian families
live together in the old Saint Anthony Abbey continually under
restoration. It is a place of great beauty that is an attraction
for many tourists. Each family has its own apartment. The gardens
of the Abbey look like paradise. The mountains of the Vercors
are silhouetted against the horizon. |
L'Arche Community is much attached to non-violence and
the respect of nature. With a vegetarian diet of course. Prayer
has its place.
Each day, I take breakfast in a family and I take the evening
meal with another one. This way I can make contact with young
people. I feel these young people distant from L'Arche and indifferent
to religion. Their concerns are elsewhere. Saint Anthony Abbey
is far from the town centres and the universities.
At noon, it is time for the community meal. On a large table
are placed dishes of vegetables and fruits. Everyone serves himself.
In addition, water or tea is offered. |
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In the morning, I insist on peeling the vegetables: a great
opportunity to make friends. The commitments of the Community
are targeted: peace, ending the nuclear, rejection of GMO (Genetically
modified organisms) crops.
I enjoyed my stay of three days in the Community where I spoke
on the subject given to me: Jesus said " I am the way, the
truth and the life " (John 14, 6). Before leaving, a person
in charge asked me: " What piece of advice would you give
for the future of L'Arche? " " Ask the young people.
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At the Court of Law
I was summoned as a witness to appear in Court. An activist
of the organization " Droits devant (Rights first) "
of which I am co-chairman, had been accused of violence against
a police officer. Today, this type of accusation is common. There
is a logic of repression against activists known to the police.
It was impossible for every body to go into the cramped courtroom.
Nevertheless, the important thing is that a great number of activists
were there.
Since its foundation 13 years ago, the " Droits devant"
organization takes pride to be non-violent. It is a known fact
to the police.
It was a long time to wait. For the second time, the Court decided
to postpone the trial. |
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Once we had left the Court House, we met on the Court of
Law Square with all those who had come to show their support.
The police was there.
We got together nearby in the " St. Michel area " where
we could get together. What had not been said in Court was possible
here where everyone could speak.
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I recalled a personal souvenir: ' the man on trial today
was with me in the occupied territories in Palestine. When he
saw how the Palestinian people were humiliated, he showed his
indignation. He could not support the injustice made to those
people. The Palestinians present felt they had been recognized
in their dignity". |
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