Jesus, Lent, and Liberation in Latin America

In this Lenten season, the question of violence supported or even fostered by religion has been with me in a particular way. Not only because it has to do with Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem; it also has to do with many of our Latin American countries (even in my native Argentina as there is violence everywhere!). My short visit to Chiapas allowed me to look at yet another reality of our continent, in which native peoples seek ways to claim their rights vis-à-vis the State, yet they do not come together to do so. As we often say, “Divide and Conquer.”

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Duchrow Assesses Global Economy

What should Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, or Hinduism be saying about global capitalism? That question is addressed by Ulrich Duchrow in the Winter, 2011, issue of Tikkun magazine—an excellent publication presenting perspectives from writers of many of the world’s religions.  Duchrow is a professor at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, where he specializes in theology-economic issues, dialoguing with many throughout his global, ecumenical activities. In 2004 and 2007, Jubilee Economics Ministries hosted Ulrich for a series of gatherings in both Southern California and Chicago. Kairos Europa also links you to some of the work Ulrich does with many colleagues in Europe.

The article in Tikkun includes a statement prepared for the May, 2011, International Ecumenical Peace Convocation in Kingston, Jamaica. The article concludes with “A Response to an Imagined Critic from North America.”

Samuel Ruiz

This Monday Samuel Ruiz died. He was an extraordinary man, one of these men who have hope in another world, a possible, more just world. A good man, warmhearted. I met him in San Cristobal de las Casas during his last year before retirement. The Autonomous University of Barcelona awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1997…that his memory continue to feed hope! (Victor Hernandez)

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