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Fr. Benjamin J. Urmston,
S.J. Web Page
Ignatian Spirituality and Peace, a Path
to Peace with Justice
3rd ANNUAL
Vision of Hope Speakers Series
2007-2008
a
five-part series based upon the theme, "Five Pillars of a New World
Building," explored in a video by Benjamin J. Urmston, S.J., director
of Peace and Justice Programs at Xavier University
Go to: http://www.xu.edu/peace_justice/specialevents.html
FIVE
PILLARS OF A NEW WORLD BUILDING
INTERDISCIPLINARY VISION
WAY
TOWARD VISION
Ignatian Spirituality and Peace, a Path
to Peace with Justice
This
web-page contains my vision and hope following my experiences, my reading
and research, my faith. If I mis-represent anyone or any group mentioned, I
will gladly correct what is said. I believe in responsible freedom of
speech, but I cannot represent all opinions in this small space. As a
medical doctor believes in health rather than sickness, I believe in a
peace with justice rather than war, violence, and injustice. Unless I quote
a particular source, what is said here contains my own insights.
Within the limited time available to me, I will try to clarify any position
expressed. As St. Ignatius says in the beginning of the Spiritual
Exercises, it is presupposed that one is more ready to put a good
interpretation on another's statement rather than to condemn it. If
one cannot save his neighbor's statement, he should ask him how he means
it. I don't think that labeling or name-calling furthers rational
and loving discourse, I try to consider a particular position on
its intrinsic merits rather than who is saying it although I obviously believe
in God's Word and my Catholic Faith. I critique structures and policies as
I think any responsible citizen should, but I certainly don't attempt to
judge the conscience of individual persons. I am not politically partisan,
but I feel free to praise or criticize particular political programs and
policies. I don't think I'm too old to grow, and I welcome dialogue.
Xavier's
Peace Studies Minor is an academic program. Xavier Peace and Justice
Programs is a co-curriculum program which is part of Student Life and
Leadership. The two programs are separate but friends who often
collaborate. Members of the Peace Studies Committee and teachers in the
Peace Studies Program do not necessarily endorse all the positions
described here nor do I necessarily endorse all the positions of all the
groups mentioned.
God
gave us hearts and ears to listen carefully but minds to distinguish. At times I
hear arguments like "Environmentalists are for clean air and pure
water. But Communists are for clean air and pure water. Therefore
clean air and pure water are bad. And environmentalists are
Communists." Such sloppy logic is unworthy of thinking citizens
or responsible journalists.
·
Dreams
·
Nightmares
·
Personal History
Rev. Benjamin J. Urmston, S.J.
Jesuit priest at
Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio
e-mail:
urmston@xavier.edu
(513) 745-3320 - Gallagher Student Center
Fax (513) 745-3371
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last updated on Feb. 20, 2008
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