o substitute the rainbow colored flags with “Peace” written on them which fly over many Italian balconies now after the Iraq war, with flags that have “Africa” written on them, is the suggestion of Xaverian Fr. Gabriele Ferrari in an editorial published by
monthly periodical, “Missionari Saveriani” (“Xaverian Missionaries”), even in connection with the second anniversary of the 9-11.
We help Africa to set up industries and to work but then we do not permit them to sell their products on the world market at just and competitive prices. We counsel peace but continue to sell arms to make war.
The fact the Iraq conflict was fought in spite of the commitment of the hundreds of thousands of pacifists throughout the world, “was not a defeat”. “We have grown in civil sense, in responsibility, and political consciousness. We have become aware that a war today, every war, and not only the war in Iraq is always immoral and we should instead seek the roads of peace and dialog”.
The growth of the movement must continue and, according to Fr. Ferrari, sensitize public opinion on other theme and problems “which have been forgotten”. Here is the suggestion: “We must keep watch on all sides; we should focus on an other field of commitment and apply it to: Africa for example. “It seems that Africa is disappearing from the horizon of the world into general indifference. It is a victim of the corruption of its rulers, but also of the greed of persons without scruples who come from the western countries to sack it”.
"The real motive is that that promises should kept. We help Africa to set up industries and to work but then we do not permit them to sell their products on the world market at just and competitive prices. We counsel peace but continue to sell arms to make war. Even our tears, over genocide, AIDS, and other epidemics are crocodile tears”.
“Would it be better”, concludes the editorial, “that we feel these urgencies, as we felt that of peace for Iraq? Couldn’t we put on our balcony flags with “Africa” written on them.
(From VID)