There have been a few items in the news lately, whether local or beyond, which have to do with some sort of travel. More to the point, the implications of any such voyages have a lot to say about our relations with the rest of the world. Here are just two examples…
To start off, this very edition of THE EASTERN DOOR includes two such items. First, there is the piece about the traveling statue of Kateri Tekakwitha. And second, there is also an item about the rock group Jonas, which was entertaining Canadian troops in Afghanistan only last week.
As for Kateri, this statue seems to be making the rounds pretty much across the continent, and wherever she goes, many truly believe she brings good fortune to those whose homes she graces. Of course, this can only be added to the countless pilgrimages made in her name throughout the years – not the least of these being the 1980 voyage to Rome, made by several worshippers for her Beatification by the previous Pope, John Paul II. And of course, let us not forget the travels of the real Kateri in the early 17th century, throughout the vast expanses of our ancestral territories.
What gets me about all of this is the fact that after everything this lady has done, whether it was in her Earthly life or beyond, what has it gotten her? I mean, when the previous Pope was himself still alive, he only seemed to do things that would advance some sort of more worldly political agenda. Most specifically, I seem to recall a relatively recent case in which John Paul was going to make some sort of instant saint out of a woman who, only shortly after WWII, gave up her life… And why? She died simply because she refused a clinical abortion on religious, moral and ethical grounds, that’s why…
But was Kateri even getting a second glance while this fool woman was refusing a procedure that could’ve saved her life, and while that disgusting, decrepit old geezer in that ridiculous, little, white beanie was busy “pontificating” – i.e., sticking his clammy, quivering hands into the SECULAR affairs of the world’s governments? No… Of course, not. Perhaps she just wasn’t controversial enough for the attentions of THAT Pontiff.
Oh, well. Now that J.P. is finally answering to a much higher authority for all of his “holier-than-thou” misgivings – which he committed “in the name of God,” no less – I can only wonder if his successor, Benedict XVI (the Hitler Youth who was only following orders, just like the rest of them), is going to do about Kateri’s long, long awaited Canonization. Or would our Lily simply not be white enough for HIS “holier-than-thou” liking? I really and truly do have to wonder about that… And by the way, if you believe that “just following orders” line from any of them, then I bet you also believed Bill Clinton “never inhaled.”
Anyway, that’s enough shaking my fist at the Papacy. I also wanted to say a few words about Jonas going to Afghanistan.
Personally, I could only commend any civilian who would go to the most Godforsaken, carpet-bombed, landmine-planted, terrorist-infested hellhole on Earth, just to provide a few hours of entertainment for a bunch of brainwashed kids who are – say it with me, now – “just following orders.” And indeed, said kids are just following the orders of a new kind of Nazi dictator; namely, the Bush, Blair, Harper variety.
Of course, any or all of that certainly isn’t Jonas’ fault. However, there are those among us who, because of their experiences during 1990, would have no pity whatsoever for anyone serving in THIS country’s Armed Forces.
I should interject at this point, that I personally was NOT here during the Crisis, and therefore, I can only relate to the sufferings of those who were here during that time on a sympathetic level. Furthermore, in the past, I have actually written commentaries in this very paper where I’ve done my best to berate CANADA for its inability to provide its own soldiers with the proper-coloured camouflage in the so-called “War on Terror.” Remember that one, folks?
In any event, I only hope the band has a safe return from this trip of theirs, and that one day, Kateri finally gets the respect she deserves. Meanwhile, as for the troops, I can only hope they come to their own respective senses before it’s far too late – especially any Native troops. After all, if you-re one of US fighting in THEIR war, no Pope I know will ever make you a saint…

natalie_l_williams@hotmail.com