Happy New Year to our readers from the staff of Catholic Times!
The past 12 months have been tumultuous ones for our church, our nation and the world, as you can read in the annual Year-in-Review pages in this week's issue of CT.
In many ways the world looked bleak in 2008 and presents real challenges to people of good will in 2009.
War continues to ravage too many parts of the world. In 2008 hundreds of thousands were killed in bloody conflicts and millions of innocent people were wounded, displaced or enslaved as battles waged around them. Tragically, the blame for a significant number of these conflicts can be laid at the doorstep of religion - specifically religious fundamentalism.
In commenting on the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, made that direct connection. He said it was "horrible" when fundamentalism mixes religion and violence. "Fundamentalism is one of the most dramatic risks faced by humanity," he said. "It challenges the conscience of every religious person."
On the positive side, in 2008 our country conducted a peaceful presidential election, despite strong differences of opinion between candidates and their supporters. In the coming year, we look forward to a calm transition as a new administration begins its duties, and citizens take up their responsibility to guide, encourage and pray for those who govern.
As 2008 becomes 2009, the economy is probably uppermost in most minds. Although we tend to think of the economic meltdown as a uniquely American problem - affecting the Big Three automakers and the giant financial institutions - this phenomenon is worldwide. Tough times will eventually trickle down to even the most recession-proof areas of the country. In parts of the world already experiencing deprivation, the situation of the hungry and hopeless will probably become even more desperate.
And so, as we begin 2009, we might feel less optimistic, less hopeful than we have in previous years. We should not, however, despair. Hard times sometimes bring great opportunities. These next months might be the encouragement we need to make positive changes in our lives. Perhaps we can learn to live more frugally, act more ecologically and give more generously from the heart to those most in need.
For instance, in his Christmas message this year, Pope Benedict XVI said a more generous and sharing attitude was essential to overcoming global problems, including terrorism, human rights violations and apprehension about "an increasingly uncertain future ... even in affluent nations."
"If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart," he said, reminding us that loving our neighbor is a reflection of God's love for us.
And so, happy New Year. Whatever this new year brings, we hope you and yours remain under God's loving care. In 2009, may we give glory to God in the highest and may God grant peace to his people on earth.