In the 10 October edition of America magazine, the national Catholic weekly published by the Jesuits, CNEWA’s own Father Elias Mallon writes that the “journey toward democracy” in the Arab nations of the Middle East “will be neither easy nor short. These emerging democracies of the Arab Spring need all the help and support they can get.”
But, Father Elias writes, “Those who would help … must realize that democracy does not mean ‘just like us.’ ”
The rights and treatment of religious minorities in these countries, the friar of the Atonement writes, “provides a benchmark against which the rights of all citizens can be measured.”
“Christianity,” he reminds us, “spent several centuries in conflict and reflection before it found a way of living in societies where members of other religious traditions were equal before the law.”
Read his excellent piece here.