Compassion Unites Us Across Faiths

By Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI

In the early hours of the morning on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, a fire destroyed the Islamic Center Mosque, a place of prayer for about 140 people in Victoria, Texas. Investigators reported Wednesday that the fire was arson. A diversity of people had been expressing concern and many gathered for prayer the next morning. Sr. Elizabeth Riebschlaeger, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, participated in that "Service of Unity and Peace" at the site.

She observed, "Hundreds of people — Christians, Jews, Universalists, atheists and agnostics —came together to stand together in prayer, on the basis of our common humanitarian values and the U.S. Constitution. We began with the Pledge of Allegiance together: as 'one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.' Never before have these words had such depth of meaning."

During the service Sr. Elizabeth filmed M.J. Khan, the president of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, who spoke of the good that had happened in only one day since the fire. He said that while we have thought of this as a mosque for the Muslims, now we can see that it belongs to all the people of Victoria. He added, "All the places of worship belong to all of us." People of faith and people of no faith are welcome to "come here, find solace in your heart so that your heart is more peaceful." As if to underscore his words, the rabbi of the Jewish congregation in Victoria invited the Muslim community to pray in their synagogue.

Dr. Shahid Hashmi, the Islamic Center's president, asked that the event not be politicized, but that the community focus on the idea that "God is love, and those who live in love, live in God." Peter Bella, a friend of Sr. Elizabeth, wrote that over 13,000 people have already given small and large donations to help rebuild the mosque. He said, "This is the America I call home, in which we come to the aid of our brothers and sisters in time of need."

My congregation, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, has been blessed to have fine professionals of many faiths including Islam, working in our hospitals. As a university teacher on a research sabbatical at Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem over twenty years ago, I was inspired by the goodness of Muslims, Jews, and various groups of Christians around me. This led to travel for research and more interfaith dialogue. Turkish Muslims in the Hizmet (Service) movement work very hard to promote understanding and dialogue. We have become partners working together frequently.

Muslim families in Victoria especially like the Catholic schools because in these their children are learning the ethical principles common in the Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Prompted by Sr. Elizabeth's connections in the Victoria area, a few years ago I was invited to lead a Muslim-Catholic Dialogue for the Victoria Diocese Religious Education Conference. I was assisted by people of this mosque in the dialogue. We used the film "In the Footprints of Francis and the Sultan: a Model for Peacemaking." The study guide for that film (created by Franciscan Sr. Kathleen Warren) has helpful educational materials to build understanding and overcome prejudice.

Sister Alice Holden, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, had considered entering our community's retirement facility on her 80th birthday, but instead felt a call to develop the area where she has lived, on the property of the University of the Incarnate Word, as a center for interfaith activities called "Interfaith, INC." For eight years she had had a ministry of spirituality programs in the lovely wooded area, but she felt a deeper call that her spirituality ministry should be centered in drawing together people of many faiths. Our university has students and faculty of many faiths from over sixty countries, so her call could support the diversity of the university. Sr. Alice reveals that as we go deeper in own religious tradition, we are closer to the Holy One and transformed by love. A poet herself, she often quotes the Muslim poet Rumi who writes of the love of God uniting us beyond our divided religious paths.

In his message for the 50th World Day of Peace, "Nonviolence: a Style of Politics for Peace," Pope Francis said that violence will not quell violence. He suggested we follow the example of Muslim Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, perhaps because we need to appreciate the good work of Muslims more. Francis also noted that "Women in particular are often leaders of nonviolence, as for example, was Leymah Gbowee and the thousands of Liberian women." Gbowee gathered Muslim and Christian women to organize "nonviolent protest that resulted in high-level peace talks to end the second civil war in Liberia." The pope's example of Leymah Gbowee invites us to set up conversations between Muslim and Christian women on how we can nurture nonviolence and peace. We will have one of those soon here at the University of the Incarnate Word, where we have many Muslim students, including about 200 from Saudi Arabia. There is so much anxiety among students and faculty here.

I first got to know of the Muslim community in Victoria when our mother was critically ill in Citizens Medical Center where my brother works. It is a fine hospital, with a room for prayer. As I went there to pray, I often saw a Muslim physician praying there also, since observant Muslims pray at regular times five times a day. Prayer brings healing. Praying together can help bring healing. We hope that we do not need fires to bring us together for prayer, but if they do, the Compassionate Holy One will cry with us and help us.

I have been influenced by Jesuit spirituality and the idea of "finding God in all things." The Quran says that everywhere we look we can see the face of God. I have grown through Muslim friends who have shared their spirituality and we have found common ground trying to be people of more compassion, justice, and service. In the challenges that we face now, may each of us compassionately try to listen to others, build bridges between communities, and open our eyes to recognize the face of God. So much compassion and unity is growing from the ashes of the mosque.

Originally published by Global Sisters Report

Muslims Attend Catholic Mass in France as Sign of Unity

Muslims gathered for Catholic Mass on Sunday in churches and cathedrals across France in a powerful display of unity following the killing of an elderly priest.

Dozen of Muslims attended Mass in Rouen, a few miles from the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray where two French teenagers slit the throat of 85-year-old Rev. Jacques Hamel on Tuesday after pledging allegiance to the Islamic State militant group.

One of the nuns who was taken hostage during the attack embraced the Muslim attendees after the service, The Associated Press reported.

“We are very moved by the presence of our Muslim friends and I believe it is a courageous act that they did by coming to us,” Dominique Lebrun, the archbishop of Rouen, said after the Mass.

“Today we wanted to show physically, by kissing the family of Jacques Hamel, by kissing His Grace Lebrun in front of everybody, so they know that the two communities are united,” said Mohammed Karabila, president of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray Mosque, according to the BBC.

A group of Muslims held up a banner outside the church reading:  “Love for all. Hate for none.”

Continue reading full article from the Huffington Post HERE

Pope Francis: "It is not right to identify Islam with violence"

(from the Catholic Herald)

Speaking to journalists aboard his return flight from Kraków, Poland, on Sunday, Pope Francis said that violence exists in all religions, including Catholicism, and it cannot be pinned to one single religion.

“I do not like to speak of Islamic violence because everyday when I look through the papers, I see violence here in Italy,” the Pope told reporters.

“And they are baptised Catholics. There are violent Catholics. If I speak of Islamic violence, I also have to speak of Catholic violence,” he added.

Spending about 30 minutes with reporters and responding to six questions, Pope Francis was asked to elaborate on comments he had made flying to Poland on July 27 when he told the journalists that religions are not at war and want peace.

The Pope’s initial comment came in speaking about the murder July 26 of an elderly priest during Mass in a Catholic church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, France. Two men, armed with knives, entered the church during Mass. The attackers murdered 84-year-old Father Jacques Hamel, slitting his throat. ISIS later claimed responsibility for the murder.

Although the death of the French priest was committed in the name of Islam, the Pope said that it is unfair to label an entire religion violent because of the actions of a few fundamentalists.

“One thing is true. I believe that in almost all religions, there is always a small fundamentalist group. We have them, too,” the Pope said. “When fundamentalism goes to the point of killing — you can even kill with the tongue. This is what St James says, but (you can kill) also with a knife. ”

He added: “I do not think it is right to identify Islam with violence. This is not right and it is not true.”

Read full article HERE

International JPIC Committee Meets with Turkish Muslims in Mexico City

Turkish hosts Erhan Cokcoskun, the director of public relations and Mustafa Cevik, the director general, and Osman Karaca welcomed the Incarnate Word Congregation Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Committee (Victor Mendoza and Sr. Katty Huanuco from Peru, Jennifer Reyes Lay from the US, Sr. Anilu Prieto from Mexico, Monica Cruz from the US, Agustin Rios from Mexico, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk from the US, and Franciscan Sr. Maureen Leach, translator from the US) to the Anadoludkm, the International Center of Turkish Language and Culture in Mexico City, on April 20, 2016.  The hosts had worked promoting education and understanding in several countries including India, Cambodia, Turkey, and now Mexico. Learn more about their work and the center here: www.anadoludkm.com.mx.  

This is part of the Hizmet Movement inspired by the Muslim leader, Fethullah Gulen who is internationally respected for his teaching on building understanding, respect, tolerance, and peace in the world. For more information on the Hizmet (Service) Movement and Fethullah Gulen, see in Spanish  http://es.fgulen.com  and see in English  http://www.fgulen.com/en/ . In the past, Gulen has met with the Pope and other significant religious leaders to build bridges and unite in working for peace. 

Peacemaking in Peru

(An article from our friends and sisters over at Women's Global Connection)
(By Nicole Foy) As most of our Women’s Global Connection/UIW immersion trip travelers were leaving to come home from Peru, Sr. Martha Ann Kirk stayed behind and was gearing up for one of her (and our!) favorite things: educating others about how societies thrive when they focus on promoting women’s rights, education, and peacemaking.

Sr. Martha Ann pictured

About 70 people attended the event at Lima’s Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, including local citizens, students, faculty and Turkish people. The story of how Martha Ann was tapped for the presentation is an interesting story of collaboration and teamwork.
Imam Beytullah Cholak of the San Antonio branch of the Dialogue Institute of the Southwest (DIS) informed the Inca Dialogue Society in Lima that Martha Ann, a member of the DIS advisory board would be on an immersion trip in the region this month. Kadir Keskin of the DIS collaborated with CCVI Sr. Katty Huanuco, the Director of the Incarnate Word Sisters International Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Office, to organize a program.

Laura Vargas pictured

The event also included Laura Vargas, the executive secretary of the Interreligious Council of Peru, a part of International Religions for Peace. Sponsoring organizations included Asociación de Amistad Perú Turquia,  the Gulen Institute, Inca Sociedad de Diálogo, Peace Islands Institute, and Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.

In her speech, Martha Ann quoted former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, who noted that studies have shown that “there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, or to reduce infant and maternal mortality. No other policy is as sure to improve nutrition and promote health – including the prevention of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as powerful in increasing the chances of education for the next generation. And I would also venture that no policy is more important in preventing conflict, or in achieving reconciliation after a conflict has ended.”

As usual, Martha Ann is a diplomat for peace wherever she goes!

Sezai Kara, of Asociación de Amistad Perú Turquia, Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, and
Kadir Keskin, president of AAPT Inca Sociedad de Diálogo 

The Muslims who hosted the program in Lima are part of the Service (Hizmet) Movement, which has been inspired by Turkish scholar Mr. Fethullah Gulen.  The day of the presentation in Lima, the French newspaper Le Monde published a moving op-ed by Gulen who called for Muslims to become more active in countering ignorance of their faith. The following is a quote from his article: “Our responsibility as Muslim citizens is to be part of the solution despite our grievances. If we want to defend the life and civil liberties of Muslims around the world, and the peace and tranquility of every human regardless of their faith, we must act now to tackle the violent extremism problem in all its dimensions: political, economic, social and religious. By setting virtuous examples through our lives, by discrediting and marginalizing the extremist interpretations of religious sources, by staying vigilant toward their impact on our youth, and by incorporating democratic values early in education, we can counter violence and terrorism as well as totalitarian ideologies that lead to them.”

Incarnate Word Associate member, Martha Zea, Sr. Martha Ann, and
Laura Vargas, executive secretary of Religions for Peace in Peru.

Martha Ann is the author of the book “Iraqi Women of Three Generations: Challenges, Education, and Hopes for Peace.” She has found discrimination against women to be entrenched there, but has been inspired by the Hizmet education movement as a counter to such ignorance. She explained that young women educated in the Hizmet schools have self-confidence and leadership skills. They also have learned  dialogue, forgiveness, reconciliation, and social responsibility.   

Read more about the trip and other WGC trips at their travel blog: https://wgctravelblogue.wordpress.com/2015/12/21/peacemaking-in-peru/