News (Media Awareness Project) - Ireland: Editorial: Fr Fordes Courage Puts Spotlight On |
| Title: | Ireland: Editorial: Fr Fordes Courage Puts Spotlight On |
| Published On: | 2000-09-02 |
| Source: | Irish Examiner (Ireland) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 10:08:13 |
FR FORDES COURAGE PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON SOCIAL INJUSTICE
Violence is endemic in Colombia, centre of the drugs trade and one of the most dangerous places on earth. By any assessment, the sheer scale of mayhem is mind boggling. An estimated 30 murders and seven kidnappings occur every day. In 15 years four presidential candidates, 200 judges, 151 journalists and 300,000 ordinary Colombians have been murdered.
Underlying the violence is a long running rebellion against social injustice which has catapulted an Irish priest, Fr Brendan Forde, into national prominence. He has emerged as a champion of ordinary people, evicted from their lands in the civil war between guerrillas, the military and right wing death squads.
If this appalling vista was unfolding on Europes doorstep, the outcry would be deafening. But because it is happening on a continent where injustice is endemic, the silence is equally deafening.
More often than not, interventions by North America in Colombia misfire. This is likely to happen in the wake of President Clintons decision to give multi billion dollar backing to the Governments anti drugs war. The money is more likely to end up funding its campaign of slaughter against its own citizens.
Ireland must focus the spotlight on the plight of ordinary Colombians and on the courage of men like Fr Forde in supporting their just cause.
Violence is endemic in Colombia, centre of the drugs trade and one of the most dangerous places on earth. By any assessment, the sheer scale of mayhem is mind boggling. An estimated 30 murders and seven kidnappings occur every day. In 15 years four presidential candidates, 200 judges, 151 journalists and 300,000 ordinary Colombians have been murdered.
Underlying the violence is a long running rebellion against social injustice which has catapulted an Irish priest, Fr Brendan Forde, into national prominence. He has emerged as a champion of ordinary people, evicted from their lands in the civil war between guerrillas, the military and right wing death squads.
If this appalling vista was unfolding on Europes doorstep, the outcry would be deafening. But because it is happening on a continent where injustice is endemic, the silence is equally deafening.
More often than not, interventions by North America in Colombia misfire. This is likely to happen in the wake of President Clintons decision to give multi billion dollar backing to the Governments anti drugs war. The money is more likely to end up funding its campaign of slaughter against its own citizens.
Ireland must focus the spotlight on the plight of ordinary Colombians and on the courage of men like Fr Forde in supporting their just cause.
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
