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What has happened in Kenya must be seen in the wider context of a new scramble for Africa – for its wealth. It has been the heavy outside interference that has made the explosion of violence possible.
Philippines is the third largest producer of methamphetamine in the world. According to the last survey, there are about 7 million Filipinos who use dangerous drugs. The social and human costs are obviously very heavy. But drug trade is also a threat to national security. And the whole country is being held hostage by powerful drug syndicates.
In 2007, the opium poppy harvest in Afghanistan beat a record. This year, experts expect it to be similar. This is “good news” to hundreds of thousands of impoverished farmers who can’t rely on any alternative crop to make a living, but very bad news to the country and the world.
Central Asia has, since ancient times, been a region blessed with open borders and trade with people from all corners of the world. This blessing has turned into a double-edged sword in the 21st century. The lack of effective border controls and weak infrastructure has created borders that are very easy to penetrate for goods that need to avoid official routes, such as drugs, weapons and human trafficking.
Through work, community life and prayer, youth are being rescued from drugs, alcohol and other self-destructive dependence in Fazenda da Esperança in Masbate. Broken lives are made whole and acquiring new faith and hope.
Corruption kills. It is the enemy of the public. The Church, even as the custodian of the Scriptures, is part of the problem. Being part of the problem, I hope it also serves as part of the solution.
“My only party card is my baptism card.” This was the statement of Giorgio La Pira, former mayor of Florence, a man above the political parties for the sake of the underprivileged. His whole life was a mission of unity and peace at world level, above the opposing parties of the cold war period. He is a gigantic figure that looms on the horizon of history as a prophet, a pioneer and a saint. His story is of poignant interest and relevance to our time.”
“Today this Scripture text is being fulfilled.” (Luke 4: 14-30)
