“Hurt” people hurt people. Those who have been hurt or broken in life often respond by striking out and hurting or harming the people who are near them. Many abusers are victims of abuse. Many bullies are victims of bullying. These pain patterns get passed on generation after generation. Elisha is Jeered … Elisha went Read more
Food insecurity, violence and climate change are forcing Africa into a corner. The continent is facing a looming food crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In better times, between 2018 and 2020, Africa imported 44 percent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine. “A striking phenomenon is the link between food insecurity, violence and Read more
The response of Catholic moral theologians to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been universally negative. “The war in Ukraine is a spiritual, human and ecological catastrophe,” said Eli S. McCarthy, a peace activist at Georgetown University’s Justice and Peace Studies, in a recent email to me. The view is shared by Catholic pacifists as Read more
A fifth birthday is usually something to celebrate with cake. As Backbone Collective reflects on its fifth birthday, we think of our original purpose: to create a safer and more responsive system to increase the safety and wellbeing of all women affected by family violence and abuse in Aotearoa New Zealand. After hearing from hundreds Read more
Rotorua’s John Paul College principal says the school is taking action after a video emerged of a fight between some of his students. The fighters included both girls and boys. Principal Patrick Walsh says John Paul College takes fighting seriously and is now in the process of disciplining the students involved. “The students have been Read more
A gun-wielding man allegedly robbed Bishop Michael Barber of Oakland of some money and his episcopal ring near the city’s cathedral, the very day the cathedral had held a vigil against gun violence. Read more
I write in support of Imam Gamal Foude’s comments on the need for love and respect in combatting violence. With all due respect to French leaders, I think they could start by reviewing the implications of laïcité. At this time, they have much to say about “Islamic terrorism”. Worse, some of the language they are Read more
Last year I was knocked to the ground and pinned down by an assailant who held his hand over my mouth. I cried out, “I can’t breathe!” About 30 long seconds later he finally let me go. As I reflect on the heartbreaking deadly scene of a Minneapolis police officer pressing his knee into George Read more
History is repeating itself in Hong Kong. In 2003, after the SARS epidemic, attempts were made to introduce a national security law. Similarly, it is happening now as the coronavirus recedes. But this time we fear there will be no happy ending. It is difficult to find words that we have not already written to Read more