From the editor's desk

Catholic New Times, Jan 30, 2005

Pledges continue to roll in for Asian relief. With the omni present tsunami of TV coverage virtually 24/7, we were shown just how connected we are in the human family. As well, we had to endure some predictable "where was God" articles in too many media, as if the supernatural, interventionist God is still around.

It is obvious that humanity is moving beyond such definitions and finding God in newer ways. Surely a sign of maturity.

As new ways of understanding transcendence and the Divine Presence among us are being worked out, a desperate rear guard action is reasserting itself. Bill Moyer's comments on the frightening "rapture theology" are well worth a read and a good discussion. See page 16.

Kevin Spurgaitis' witness report (page 3) focuses on what many refugee advocates are doing for the deluge of asylum seekers as the "Safe Third-Country Agreement" is challenged.

Our extensive coverage of Israel continues on page 7. Rosemary Radford Reuther gives a perspective which is almost totally missing in the western press.

Faisal Kutty's piece on the right to use Islamic principles in certain disputes has kicked up a firestorm in Ontario. First impressions are frequently wrong. Marion Boyd, a former Ontario Attorney-General has carefully weighed the pros and cons and come up with a typical (and reasonable) 'Canadian' solution, Kutty allays our fears of a return to the dark ages, Page 6.

Never has the morale in the institutional church been at such a low ebb. An uninspired and out-of-touch hierarchy, working from blind loyalty to clerical power has alienated vast segments of the people of God. The best-educated generation of Catholics continues to chafe under this timid and inadequate leadership--yet many Catholics, including gay and lesbians. continue to stay and fight in "the church beneath the church." To those who ask. "How can you still be a Catholic? Clarissa Pinkola Estes gives net own answer on pages 10 and 11.