London
Yes, we're aware of the London bombing. We haven't covered it here, primarily because, as a general rule, we present "cultural/religious" posts and try to avoid overtly political matters (e.g., the interminable Bolton nomination) and foreign affairs. We also try to avoid news items that are covered adequately elsewhere.
For those who want something from us, we present these excerpts from Eric Scheske's essay on Catholicism and pacifism that he wrote in the wake of 9/11. This isn't particularly germane to today's events, but it's all we're willing to do at this point.
Pale Ebenezer thought it wrong to fight;
But roaring Bill who killed him
Thought it right.
Catholic essayist and wit Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953) aimed this jabbing verse at pacifism years ago in one of his best books, The Four Men. . .
Perhaps the best way to describe Catholicism's attitude toward pacifism is by reference to paradox. The English writer (and Catholic convert) G.K. Chesterton revered paradox, saying it goes to the root of things by accepting mysterious inconsistencies planted in the very foundation of creation. Catholicism tries to accept such inconsistencies and to balance the resulting opposites. In the realms of war and peace, of violence and love, those paradox planted in our foundations grow into huge trees of resulting opposites. The Church hugs the tree of peace and love, and it abhors the tree of war and violence. But it knows war and violence exist and must be dealt with–with violent weapons like axe and fire, and not fed with the fertilizer of dead Ebenezers who refuse to fight.
Catholicism, in short, is a non-violent religion that teaches violence can be legitimate. It reveres life and mercy–but says at times it is necessary to kill and exact justice. It recognizes both the lion and the lamb and realizes they must co-exist. So it tells the lion to lie down with the lamb. But it does not tell the lion to become like the lamb and to abandon its ferocity. That, Chesterton observed, would be an act of violence against the lion.
