Faith in a Postmodern World Carlo Maria Martini
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May 12, 2008AmericaTHE NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEE LY $2.75 Faith in a Postmodern World Carlo Maria Martini Commentary on the Papal Visit Y MOVE TO BROOKLYN from carrying a stroller, with a child in tow or Manhattan last year seemed in her arms. America daunting, and I am still pro- A sadder mood arises at the sight of Published by Jesuits of the United States cessing that change to a dif- homeless people, for whom the subway Mferent world. The link in both cases, cars and the benches on the platforms Editor in Chief though, has been a Jesuit parish. In often serve as shelter. On one occasion, Manhattan it was Nativity, now closing an elderly woman boarded a Brooklyn- Drew Christiansen, S.J. because of gentrification that has driven bound train in the late afternoon and, Acting Publisher out many parishioners. In Brooklyn it is seating herself opposite me, carefully the parish of St. Ignatius. Both are small, arranged the huge plastic bags with her James Martin, S.J. with a mix of nationalities among the possessions at her feet. To some, her Managing Editor parishioners. Although my work at world may have seemed chaotic, but at Robert C. Collins, S.J. America continues full time, I have always least for a few moments, she had instilled loved the rhythms of parish life, saying into it a sense of order. Business Manager Mass and getting to know parishioners in On one of the inbound train platforms Lisa Pope all their diversity of age, background and every weekday morning, I pass an elderly interests. Those at St. Ignatius in Brooklyn Caribbean man standing with religious Editorial Director are from “the Islands”; but the majority are pamphlets in his hand, repeating over Karen Sue Smith Haitian, and on Sundays I hear Creole spo- and over: “God is love, God is love. ken as much as English. Hello! Hello!” In passing, we exchange a Online Editor The parishioners’ faith is evident. In wave of the hand as he repeats his phrase. Maurice Timothy Reidy fact, that whole area of Brooklyn’s Crown Often, not far from him, another older Heights is marked by faith in the form of person stands with copies of a Jehovah’s Associate Editors storefront churches. Just around the cor- Witness magazine. These two represent Joseph A. O’Hare, S.J. ner from St. Ignatius is a whole series of for me the anawim, the humble people of George M. Anderson, S.J. them, with God names like the described in Dennis M. Linehan, S.J. United Spiritual the Old Matt Malone, S.J. Baptist Church Of Many Things Testament, James T. Keane, S.J. of God Inc. and people who Peter Schineller, S.J. L’Eglise Ebenezer Foi en Dieu. Passing know where to put their bottom-line by these and others on Sunday, you can trust. They also signify a belief in a world Literary Editor hear lively singing and clapping. beyond this one. The subway ride to America on I have reminders of that reality of Patricia A. Kossmann weekday mornings takes longer now, and another world along Eastern Parkway, Poetry Editor involves two trains. On the first, I am my route for walking from the subway usually the only white person, so for a station to the St. Ignatius rectory. In James S. Torrens, S.J. few minutes I am a minority member—a front of many of the trees that line the Assistant Editor useful learning experience. The second parkway are small bronze plaques with train carries me for the longer part of the the names of young men from the neigh- Francis W. Turnbull, S.J. commute, and by then the passengers are borhood who died in “the World War Design and Production a more diverse medley of skin colors and 1914-1918.” Those who placed the languages. plaques probably did not think that with- Stephanie Ratcliffe That second leg of 35 minutes has in little more than two decades, another, proven to be an ideal time for morning more destructive war would again cost Advertising prayer. The whole world seems repre- lives on an even wider scale. In the late Julia Sosa sented in that small space of a subway afternoon, the sun shines on the plaques’ car, and what comes to mind is the con- bronze surfaces, making it easy to read 106 West 56th Street templation on the incarnation in St. the soldiers’ names, and I often stop to New York, NY 10019-3803 Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. In it, we are make them out. One was dedicated to the Ph: 212-581-4640; Fax: 212-399-3596. asked to imagine “those on the face of memory of Cpl. Frederick Haupt. E-mail: [email protected]; the earth in such diversity of dress and Doubly saddening is the name’s sugges- [email protected]. manner.... Some are white, some black, tion of German heritage. Little wonder Web site: www.americamagazine.org. some weeping, some laughing, some well, that St. Ignatius’ image of the Trinity Customer Service: 1-800-627-9533. some sick.” The diversity is right there gazing down on struggling humanity © 2008 America Press, Inc. before my eyes—a reminder of humani- with compassion resonates powerfully ty’s need for a redeemer, but also of today as wars continue to claim lives humanity’s basic goodness. During the around the world. Faith in all its forms, Cover photo Spires of St. Patrick’s crowded rush-hour subway ride back to from storefronts to cathedrals to mosques Cathedral in New York City contrast Brooklyn, for example, it is not unusual and synagogues, continues to cry out for with a modern skyscraper. to see someone offer a seat to a mother peace. George M. Anderson, S.J. (Shutterstock/Christina Richards) www.americamagazine.org Vol. 198 No. 16 Whole No. 4815 May 12, 2008 Articles 8 Benedict in America 8 What will be the legacy of the pope’s visit? Six of our writers weigh in. Teaching the Faith in a 16 Postmodern World Carlo Maria Martini The challenge and opportunity of preaching the Gospel to a contemporary audience Partners in Ministry 22 Amalee Meehan The Jesuit partnership with women goes back to the earliest days of the order. Editorial 5 Peace in the 21st Century 22 Signs of the Times 6 Ethics Notebook 12 Cicero and Jesus in the United States John F. Kavanaugh Book Reviews 27 Surprised by Hope; Special Orders; This Republic of Suffering Letters 37 The Word 39 Who Is God for You? Daniel J. Harrington This week @ Stephen Adly Guirgis discusses his new play, “The Little Flower of East Orange,” on our podcast. Plus, from the archives, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini on “A America Connects Christian Community: Toward the Third Millennium.” All at americamagazine.org. Editorial Peace in the 21st Century S WE HAVE LEARNED in both Iraq and the negotiating table. So the first step toward nuclear Afghanistan, security in the 21st century will security must be manifest reduction of nuclear arms by demand a comprehensive response that uses a the nuclear powers, followed by negotiation of a new full spectrum of resources. “Soft power,” in nonproliferation agreement. the form of diplomacy, economic develop- Climate change threatens peace because lives and liveli- Ament and human rights enforcement, will be far more in hoods, national boundaries and human settlements are at evidence than military force. Twenty-five years ago this risk—from rising sea levels, the increase in storm activity, month, when the National Conference of Catholic the frequency and intensity of drought and spreading deser- Bishops issued The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and tification. These climatic changes can also produce environ- Our Response, the national preoccupation was with averting mental refugees. Careful negotiation and policing will be a global nuclear war. The nuclear threat is still serious, but needed to manage migratory pressures. Refugee popula- the other great dangers to peace are not matters of grand tions, moreover, will demand multinational support and military strategy, though they may require military person- supervision. Likewise, as worldwide food riots this spring nel and logistical capacity to address. For after prolifera- have shown, disruptions in food and water supply will tion of weapons of mass destruction, climate change and require greater regional and international collaboration. failed states rank high on the list of strategic dangers. Both Failed states are a different problem. As we have seen will make serious demands on policymakers, because solu- in Afghanistan, Central Africa and the Darfur region of tions must be multifaceted and long-term, and will require Sudan, bringing peace to long-conflicted regions demands the United States to shift resources from space-age mili- more troops and more time than either the United States tary capacity to civilian agencies and constabulary forces. or the international community has been willing to give. The first requirement of national and world security is Peacebuilding in such countries requires just economic to strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation regime. and political development along with appropriate constab- Negotiation, backed by sanctions and limited punitive ulary military forces. In Afghanistan, which has certainly measures, may offer some promise of restoring restraint, as been a high priority for international intervention, it did in Libya and seems about to do in North Korea. But resources of every sort have fallen well below what donor other factors may prove more difficult to check. In nations have committed themselves to provide. Pakistan, for example, the A. Q. Khan network, which assisted North Korea, Iran and Libya in their pursuit of DURING HIS ADDRESS to the United Nations General the bomb, remains intact, and the control of Pakistan’s Assembly last month, Pope Benedict XVI laid out an ethic nuclear arsenal is unsure amid the shifting political tides in for international cooperation under the rubric of “the duty that country.