Justice And Peace

This week’s “The Anchor” informs us that Father Timothy Radcliffe is a new Vatican consultant.  He was recently appointed as a consultor of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.  As noted in the article, “Father Timothy Radcliffe, a Dominican priest who led his order for 10 years and has stirred controversy in the past for his stance on certain ecclesial issues…joins the Council with its goal ‘to promote justice and peace in the world in accordance with the Gospel and the social teaching of the Church…”

Father Radcliffe gave a presentation to Christ the King a few years ago at our Summer Speaker Series.  As always, he impressed all who assembled to hear him speak.  His most recent book is “Take the Plunge: Living Baptism and Confirmation” (2012).

Controversial?  I suppose he is, but that’s what makes him interesting and an important part of the Body of Christ. 

Consider this interesting (controversial?) statement from his book.  He quotes Ephesians 6:12 that reads: “…Jesus came into conflict with the scribes and the Pharisees and with the Roman authorities, but this was but the backdrop to a more fundamental battle, which was with the powers of evil: ‘For our struggle is not against the enemies of flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

With this attitude quite consistent with the promotion of justice and peace, it’s very likely the Council will benefit from his wisdom and experience.  Rulers beware.

Deacon David Pierce