‘Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented’

Monday, April 15, 2024

Tony Magliano - Freelance columnist

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In his 1986 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, the late Elie Wiesel, reflecting on the Holocaust, and his personal experience of it – being in the same World War II Nazi concentration camps where his mother, father, and sister were murdered, and coming very close to being executed himself – voiced these profound words:

“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe” (see: https://mediaplayer.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/?id=2028).

Several years ago, I interviewed Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, retired auxiliary bishop of Detroit. Bishop Gumbleton, 94, was one of the principal authors of the U.S. bishops’ prophetic 1983 pastoral letter “The Challenge of Peace: God’s Promise and Our Response.”

During our conversation the following point jumped out at me, and continues to remain with me. Bishop Gumbleton said, “Most Catholics are more influenced by the culture than the Gospel.” I then asked him, “Would you say that about your brother bishops as well?” Without hesitation, he replied, “Absolutely!”

Clearly, it appears that most Catholics are not actively engaged – from a Gospel/Catholic social teaching perspective – in the life and death issues facing humanity like hunger and poverty, the arms trade and war, environmental degradation and climate change, the death penalty and abortion.

The late founder of the U.S. annual “March for Life,” Nellie Gray, once told me that “If Catholics alone would stand up and demand an end to abortion, it would end!”

For many years, ministering in several dioceses, I have found it extremely difficult to persuade the vast majority of Catholics to speak up and act out on behalf of our countless suffering brothers and sisters, and that of our wounded earth home.

Furthermore, rarely do we hear challenging, countercultural, social justice and peace homilies from the clergy.

Pope Francis has often called this sad reality the “culture of indifference” where solid commitment to nonviolently protecting and enhancing the life and dignity of all human beings – especially the vulnerable and poor – is of little concern. He recently said that in societies often polluted by a culture of indifference and of waste, “as believers, we are called to go against the tide with a culture of tenderness, that is, of caring for others as God has cared for us: for me, for you, for each one of us” (see: https://bitly.ws/3aQTz).

Encouragingly, there do exist a relatively few prophetic souls who refuse to allow the “culture of indifference” to silence their words. An example here is the recent joint statement by Cardinal Robert McElroy of the Diocese of San Diego, and Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico calling for an immediate cease-fire to the Israel-Hamas war (see: https://bitly.ws/3aVpu).

And fairly recently, seven Catholics known as the “Kings Bay Plowshares 7” even put their words of peace into courageous action by placing signs of Christian nonviolence inside the Kings Bay Naval Base in Georgia – where at least five nuclear submarines are based. And consequently, they did jail time for their acts of nonviolent resistance (see: https://kingsbayplowshares7.org/).

Another encouraging act of faithful, courageous Gospel-based witness was the nonviolent blocking of doors and locking gates at a Washington, D.C. abortion center by veteran pro-life Catholic activist Joan Andrews Bell, along with several other Christians. Consequently, Bell (a friend of mine), is now in jail (see: https://bitly.ws/3aVuD).

It does us good to reflect again on the profound words of Elie Wiesel, “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

Comments from readers

Charles - 04/18/2024 11:18 AM

About issues that affect humanity, lets ask the question. What are Catholics learning in regards to the issues you've mentioned? In terms of action, what is our current generation and younger generations doing in their daily lives? What are parents teaching their own children on Catholic doctrine and how to serve the poor and the needy but also for their own knowledge of the Catholic faith? It depends also on the individual person, and which media and internet sources they look at, especially now with mass censorship and cancel culture and how they act. It is wise to discern primarily learning of the Catholic faith, but how to discern what is the right way to address human life issues, poverty, the natural environment and what is proper governance of society, unlike what we see today in legislation in many parts of the nation and the world. How is it possible to own a business, pay proper wages and avoid the problems of greed? Today, our young adult population I think have it waaaaaay more difficult to raise children than ever before because of financial obligations that virtually make it impossible to do so, while focusing on career, financial security and retirement investments, it seems too much. That's because this is done on purpose to us. What are we to do then if financial obligations tie up our time in order to raise a Catholic society let alone by our actions bring the faith to others? How can us younger generations debunk the narrative of climate change and cancel culture when farmers worldwide are protesting their farms being taken away, certain technologies that are eliminating labor in favor of machines and automation and many other issues? Yes, even certain technological innovations are not good for us in society . Our actions need to preserve the dignity of the human person. We must not allow the '4th Industrial Revolution' to be imposed on us globally. Please pray for the unborn children and restoring the Catholic faith.

Charles - 04/18/2024 11:04 AM

Tony, thank you for sharing this article. That's a great point Elie makes. Like Bishop Gumbleton, thankfully in our nation we do have some courageous bishops, such as Bishop Strickland from Tyler, Texas and others I don't know of. There are hereoic priests in our nation alone that go unnoticed in their sacrifices. There are also many faithful Catholic moms and dads who sacrifice much for their families as well. I wish to respond to a couple of comments you made. Allow me to qoute your comments. 'Clearly, it appears that most Catholics are not actively engaged – from a Gospel/Catholic social teaching perspective – in the life and death issues facing humanity like hunger and poverty, the arms trade and war, environmental degradation and climate change, the death penalty and abortion. Furthermore, rarely do we hear challenging, countercultural, social justice and peace homilies from the clergy'. I understand your points made, but the Church is a teaching church which is to preach salvation. Christ told us that the poor will always be among us. It's impossible to know by an individual case basis how many Catholics are truly engaged in their faith in service to the poor and needy. While it may be true that many are not engaged, it depends on the individual person and their formation in the faith. If more would do their part and help the needy and to engage the enemies to change their hearts,certainly poverty can be reduced and the faith can increase. We must hear God's voice on what we must do. Certainly, young couples with children are too busy to go out and protest simply because family life requires alot of time and sacrifice, but many single unmarried Catholics and those who have some extra time could be encouraged to help out with changing the culture.

Neida D Perez - 04/15/2024 12:41 PM

Case in point, Florida bishops statement about amendment 4. Eight points of Catholic Social Teaching. Is the statement an example of "Cafeteria Religion?" One bishop had the nerve to use the idea of cafeteria recently. I am 82 years old. I know why I remain in the Church. Sometimes I fear to be denied the Eucharist. Catholic bishops are playing a tragic leadership in the great American tragedy of our times. Pregnant women need pre natal care, children need lower cost of child care so mothers could work and defend the right to vote. Find out who has consistently voted against health care for years and years. Prove me wrong and publish my words.

Charles - 04/18/2024 11:18 AM: About issues that affect humanity, lets ask the question. What are Catholics learning in regards to the issues you've mentioned? In terms of action, what is our current generation and younger generations doing in their daily lives? What are parents teaching their own children on Catholic doctrine and how to serve the poor and the needy but also for their own knowledge of the Catholic faith? It depends also on the individual person, and which media and internet sources they look at, especially now with mass censorship and cancel culture and how they act. It is wise to discern primarily learning of the Catholic faith, but how to discern what is the right way to address human life issues, poverty, the natural environment and what is proper governance of society, unlike what we see today in legislation in many parts of the nation and the world. How is it possible to own a business, pay proper wages and avoid the problems of greed? Today, our young adult population I think have it waaaaaay more difficult to raise children than ever before because of financial obligations that virtually make it impossible to do so, while focusing on career, financial security and retirement investments, it seems too much. That's because this is done on purpose to us. What are we to do then if financial obligations tie up our time in order to raise a Catholic society let alone by our actions bring the faith to others? How can us younger generations debunk the narrative of climate change and cancel culture when farmers worldwide are protesting their farms being taken away, certain technologies that are eliminating labor in favor of machines and automation and many other issues? Yes, even certain technological innovations are not good for us in society . Our actions need to preserve the dignity of the human person. We must not allow the '4th Industrial Revolution' to be imposed on us globally. Please pray for the unborn children and restoring the Catholic faith.

Charles - 04/18/2024 11:04 AM: Tony, thank you for sharing this article. That's a great point Elie makes. Like Bishop Gumbleton, thankfully in our nation we do have some courageous bishops, such as Bishop Strickland from Tyler, Texas and others I don't know of. There are hereoic priests in our nation alone that go unnoticed in their sacrifices. There are also many faithful Catholic moms and dads who sacrifice much for their families as well. I wish to respond to a couple of comments you made. Allow me to qoute your comments. 'Clearly, it appears that most Catholics are not actively engaged – from a Gospel/Catholic social teaching perspective – in the life and death issues facing humanity like hunger and poverty, the arms trade and war, environmental degradation and climate change, the death penalty and abortion. Furthermore, rarely do we hear challenging, countercultural, social justice and peace homilies from the clergy'. I understand your points made, but the Church is a teaching church which is to preach salvation. Christ told us that the poor will always be among us. It's impossible to know by an individual case basis how many Catholics are truly engaged in their faith in service to the poor and needy. While it may be true that many are not engaged, it depends on the individual person and their formation in the faith. If more would do their part and help the needy and to engage the enemies to change their hearts,certainly poverty can be reduced and the faith can increase. We must hear God's voice on what we must do. Certainly, young couples with children are too busy to go out and protest simply because family life requires alot of time and sacrifice, but many single unmarried Catholics and those who have some extra time could be encouraged to help out with changing the culture.

Neida D Perez - 04/15/2024 12:41 PM: Case in point, Florida bishops statement about amendment 4. Eight points of Catholic Social Teaching. Is the statement an example of "Cafeteria Religion?" One bishop had the nerve to use the idea of cafeteria recently. I am 82 years old. I know why I remain in the Church. Sometimes I fear to be denied the Eucharist. Catholic bishops are playing a tragic leadership in the great American tragedy of our times. Pregnant women need pre natal care, children need lower cost of child care so mothers could work and defend the right to vote. Find out who has consistently voted against health care for years and years. Prove me wrong and publish my words.