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Chris Hedges: America’s Street Priest
from truthdig:
Americas Street Priest
Posted on Jun 10, 2012
By Chris Hedges
The Rev. Daniel Berrigan, undaunted at 92 and full of the fire that makes him one of this nations most courageous voices for justice, stands in New York Citys Zuccotti Park. He is there, along with other clergy, to ask Trinity Church, which is the third-largest landowner in Manhattan, to drop charges against Occupy activists, including retired Episcopal Bishop George Packard, for occupying its empty lot on 6th Avenue and Canal Street on Dec. 17. The protesters, slated to go to court Monday, June 11, hoped to establish a new Liberty Square on the lot after being evicted by New York City police from Zuccotti in November. But Trinity had the demonstrators arrested. It chose to act like a real estate company, or the corporation it has become, rather than a church. And its steadfast refusal to drop the charges means that many of those arrested, including Packard, could spend as long as three months in jail.
This is the only way to bring faith to the public and the public to the faith, Berrigan said softly as we spoke before the demonstration in the park that was once the epicenter of Occupy Wall Street. If faith does not touch the lives of others it has no point. Faith always starts with oneself. It means an overriding sense of responsibility for the universe, making sure that universe is left in good hands and the belief that things will finally turn out right if we remain faithful. But I underscore the word faithful. This faith was embodied in the Occupy movement from the first day. The official churches remained slow. It is up to us to take the initiative and hope the churches catch up.
There is one place, Berrigan says, where those who care about justice need to bein the streets. The folly of electoral politics, the colossal waste of energy invested in the charade of the Wisconsin recall, which once again funneled hopes and passion back into a dead political system and a bankrupt Democratic Party, the failure by large numbers of citizens to carry out mass acts of civil disobedience, will only ensure that we remain hostages to corporate power.
Berrigan believes, as did Martin Luther King, that the evils of capitalism are as real as the evils of militarism and the evils of racism. And he has dedicated his life to fighting these evils. It is a life worth emulating. .................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/americas_street_priest_20120611/
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Chris Hedges: America’s Street Priest (Original Post)
marmar
Jun 2012
OP
xchrom
(108,903 posts)1. Du rec. Nt
Fortinbras Armstrong
(4,473 posts)2. Way to go, Dan
I knew Daniel Berrigan slightly when he was on the run from the FBI in 1970. I'm pleased to hear that he has not changed since then. He challenges all Christians to live up to what Christ calls us to do. While I was thinking of him, 2 Timothy 4:1-8 went through my mind:
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day
Dan Berrigan has done -- and is still doing -- what Paul called on him to do. Keep being an authentic Christian witness for us, Dan.