ចម្លើយកាតូលិកចំពោះវិបត្តិជនភៀសខ្លួន

ជនភៀសខ្លួន, ការគួរសមសមាគមន៍សារព័ត៌មាន

 

IT គឺជាប្រធានបទមួយក្នុងចំណោមប្រធានបទដែលងាយនឹងប្រែប្រួលបំផុតនៅលើពិភពលោកនាពេលបច្ចុប្បន្ននេះហើយជាការពិភាក្សាមួយដែលមានតុល្យភាពតិចបំផុតនៅក្នុងនោះ៖ ជនភៀសខ្លួននិងអ្វីដែលធ្វើជាមួយនិក្ខមនំដ៏លើសលប់។ ផ្លូវយ៉ូហានប៉ូលទី ២ បានហៅបញ្ហានេះថា“ ប្រហែលជាសោកនាដកម្មដ៏ធំបំផុតនៃសោកនាដកម្មរបស់មនុស្សនៅសម័យយើង” ។ ^[1]អាស័យដ្ឋានជនភៀសខ្លួននៅនិរទេស ប្រទេសហ្វីលីពីនថ្ងៃទី ២១ ខែកុម្ភៈឆ្នាំ ១៩៨១ សម្រាប់អ្នកខ្លះចម្លើយគឺសាមញ្ញ៖ យកវាចូលពេលណាក៏មានច្រើនណាស់ហើយអ្នកណាក៏ដោយ។ សម្រាប់អ្នកផ្សេងទៀតវាមានភាពស្មុគស្មាញជាងដោយហេតុនេះទាមទារឱ្យមានការឆ្លើយតបនិងវាស់វែងបន្ថែមទៀត។ ពួកគេនិយាយថាហានិភ័យគឺមិនត្រឹមតែសុវត្ថិភាពនិងសុខុមាលភាពរបស់បុគ្គលដែលគេចចេញពីអំពើហឹង្សានិងការធ្វើទុក្ខបុកម្នេញប៉ុណ្ណោះទេថែមទាំងសុវត្ថិភាពនិងស្ថេរភាពរបស់ប្រជាជាតិនានា។ បើអញ្ចឹងមែនតើផ្លូវកណ្តាលមួយណាដែលការពារសេចក្តីថ្លៃថ្នូរនិងការរស់នៅរបស់ជនភៀសខ្លួនពិតប្រាកដខណៈពេលជាមួយគ្នាការពារផលប្រយោជន៍រួម? តើអ្វីទៅជាការឆ្លើយតបរបស់យើងក្នុងនាមជាគ្រីស្តបរិស័ទ?

 

វិបត្តិ

ពិភពលោករបស់យើងកំពុងប្រឈមមុខនឹងវិបត្តិជនភៀសខ្លួនដែលមិនត្រូវបានគេមើលឃើញចាប់តាំងពីសង្គ្រាមលោកលើកទី ២ ។ នេះបង្ហាញយើងនូវការប្រកួតប្រជែងដ៏អស្ចារ្យនិងការសម្រេចចិត្តពិបាក ៗ ជាច្រើន។ យើងមិនគួរត្រូវបានគេគិតគូរពីចំនួននេះទេប៉ុន្តែត្រូវចាត់ទុកពួកគេជាមនុស្សមើលឃើញមុខនិងស្តាប់រឿងរបស់ពួកគេព្យាយាមឆ្លើយតបឱ្យបានល្អបំផុតតាមដែលអាចធ្វើទៅបានចំពោះស្ថានភាពនេះ។ ដើម្បីឆ្លើយតបតាមរបៀបមួយដែលតែងតែជាមនុស្សយុត្តិធម៌និងជាបងប្អូន ... ចូរយើងចងចាំគោលការណ៍មាស៖ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. —POPE FRANCIS, address to U.S. Congress, September 24th, 2015; usatoday.com

Probably one of the greatest obstacles to a civil and reasoned discussion on the current refugee crisis is the lack of understanding in the general population of exactly ហេតុអ្វី the crisis exists in the first place, for “a world where human rights are violated with impunity will never stop producing refugees of all kinds.”^[2]Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, “Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity”, Intro.; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា

The answer, in one word, is សង្គ្រាម។ War between peoples, war between Muslim sects, war between nations, war over oil, and in truth, war for world domination. In his speech to Congress, Pope Francis acknowledged the “complexity, the gravity and the urgency of these challenges.” ^[3]cf. address to U.S. Congress, September 24th, 2015; straitstimes.com One cannot adequately address just solutions to the present refugee crisis without examining its varied and startling roots. So I will briefly highlight three significant issues fueling the mass migration of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa.

 

I. Fighting Between the Muslim Sects

While Christians are at the brunt of Islamic persecution in many countries around the world, so too are fellow Muslims. The two major sects of Islam are the Sunnis and the Shiites. The division between them goes back 1400 years to a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Mohammad. Today, their differences continue to manifest in a power struggle over who is to rule 
regions or entire countries.

Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hamas, and Boko Haram are Sunni Muslim groups who use terrorism to threaten and expel their enemies often, as we know, in the most barbaric ways. Then there is Abu Sayyef in the Philippines, Lashkar e Taiba in Kashmir, and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Hezbollah out of Lebanon is the military arm of some Shiites. All of these organizations are responsible to one degree or another for the displacement of millions of people fleeing the brutal enforcement of Islamic doctrine known as Sharia law (note: the fight between Islamic sects often comes down to the view that the ផ្សេងទៀត party is an “apostate” for his or her erroneous interpretation or application of Islamic teaching).

 

លើកទី II ។ អន្តរាគមន៍លោកខាងលិច

Here, the situation becomes even more complex. It is a known fact that foreign countries, most especially the United States, have supplied weapons, resources, and training to some of the aforementioned terrorist groups in order to shift power in the Middle East to their own “national interests.” Why? It might be overly simplifying things to say “oil”, but that’s a large part it. Another less known but related reason has its ties to Freemasonry and the spread of “enlightened democracies”: ^[4]មើលឃើញ បាប៊ីឡូនអាថ៌កំបាំង

America would be used to lead the world into the philosophic empire. You understand that America was founded by Christians as a Christian nation. However, there were always those people on the other side who wanted to use America, abuse our military power and our financial power, to establish enlightened democracies throughout the world and restore the lost Atlantis [a utopian system based on humanism alone]. - ដ។ Stanley Monteith, អាត្លង់តាថ្មី៖ អាថ៌កំបាំងនៃការចាប់ផ្តើមរបស់អាមេរិក (វីដេអូ); សម្ភាសលោកបណ្ឌិត Stanley Monteith

Three devastating aspects of Western intervention have been, first, the war in Iraq, which killed hundreds of thousands based on controversial claims of “weapons of mass destruction.” ^[5]Cf. ជូនចំពោះមិត្តអាមេរិករបស់ខ្ញុំ Second, as already mentioned, the U.S. has enabled terrorist groups.

អ្វីដែលត្រូវបានគេលុបចោលពីមជ្ឈដ្ឋានសំខាន់ៗទោះបីជាមានទំនាក់ទំនងជិតស្និទ្ធរវាងទីភ្នាក់ងារស៊ើបការណ៍សម្ងាត់របស់សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកនិង ISIS ក៏ដោយសារតែពួកគេបានបណ្តុះបណ្តាលបំពាក់អាវុធនិងផ្តល់ថវិកាដល់ក្រុមនេះអស់រយៈពេលជាច្រើនឆ្នាំ។ -Sveve MacMillan ថ្ងៃទី ១៩ ខែសីហាឆ្នាំ ២០១៤; research.ca សកល

Third, with the withdrawal of the American led coalition from the region primarily under Obama’s watch, the vacuum has created tremendous instability and a violent power-struggle between the Muslim sects, which has led, in part, to the current refugee crisis.

 

III បាន។ Islamic Ideology

Just as many Westerners understand little about the muddled politics of the Middle East, even fewer understand that Islam is not like Christianity, or most other religions for that matter. The “separation between Church and State” prevalent in the West ^[6]Poland is a rare exception in how this is integrated in practice. is not a concept Islam embraces. In an ideal Islamic world, the economy, politics, law and religion all breathe from the same lungs of Islamic tradition. Sharia law is essentially the enforcement of Islamic doctrine and is a predominant rule and desire in many Muslim-controlled countries where Sunnis make up between 85-89% of the Islamic world population.

Central to Islamic doctrine is the spread of a “global caliphate” to bring the entire world under Islamic domination. As it says in the Koran:

It is he (Allah) who has sent his Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth (i.e. Islam), in order for it to be dominant over all other religions, even though the Mushrikoon (unbelievers) hate it. —EMQ at-Tawbah, 9:33 & as Saff 61:4-9, 13

Mawlana Sayid Abul Ala Mawdudi (born 1905) was an Islamic scholar from the Indian subcontinent and is considered one of Islam’s greatest scholars. He said:

Islam is not a normal religion like the other religions in the world, and Muslim nations are not like normal nations. Muslim nations are very special because they have a command from Allah to rule the entire world and to be over every nation in the world…. In order to fulfill that goal, Islam can use every power available every way it can be used to bring worldwide revolution. This is Jihad. -Islam and Terrorism, Mark A. Gabriel, (Lake Mary Florida, Charisma House 2001) p.81

One of the ways in which this Global Caliphate can be spread, according to Mohammad, is through ការធ្វើចំណាកស្រុក or “Hijrah.”

…the concept of Hijrah—Immigration—as a means of supplanting the native population and reaching the position of power became a well-developed doctrine in Islam… The main principle for a Muslim community in a non-Muslim country is that it must be separate and distinct. Already in the Charter of Medina, Muhammad outlined the basic rule for Muslims who emigrate to non-Muslim land, i.e., they must form a separate body, keeping their own laws and making the host country comply with them. — Y.K. Cherson, “The Goal of Muslim Immigration According to Muhammad’s Teachings”, Oct. 2nd, 2014

While it is uncertain to what degree the precept of Hijrah is playing a role in the current migration of hundreds of thousands of Muslims, Steve Bannon, controversial chief strategist of the new U.S. President, is on record regarding his concerns over the Islamic Caliphate.

It’s a very unpleasant topic, but we are in an outright war against jihadist Islamic fascism. And this war is, I think, metastasizing far quicker than governments can handle it… a war that’s already global.  —from a conference at the Vatican in 2014; ព័ត៌មាន BuzzFeedថ្ងៃទី ៨ ខែវិច្ឆិកាឆ្នាំ ២០១៩

Those concerns are not merely the view of “radicals.” Austrian Cardinal Schönborn, who is close to Pope Francis and who initially supported the huge influx of migrants, also asked:

Will there be a third Islamic attempt to conquer Europe? Many Muslims think this and wish this and say that Europe is at its end. -Catholicism.orgថ្ងៃទី ២៥ ខែធ្នូឆ្នាំ ១៩៦១

The leader of the Czech Roman Catholic Church, Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, also warned that Europe risks losing its Christian identity entirely as a result of the West’s widespread use of contraception and abortion. 

Muslims in Europe have many more children than Christian families; that is why demographers have been trying to come up with a time when Europe will become Muslim. Europe will pay dearly for having left its spiritual foundations… Unless the Christians wake up, life may be Islamized and Christianity will not have the strength to imprint its character on the life of people, not to say society. -ពិភពលោល, ខែមករា 29th, 2017

Some suggest it is too late, as the birth rate in most European countries has fallen well below replacement levels. ^[7]Cf. Muslim Demographics Perhaps this is what Pope Benedict XVI eluded to in a sobering homily to the world’s bishops:

The threat of judgment also concerns us, the Church in Europe, Europe and the West in general… the Lord is also crying out to our ears… “If you do not repent I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” -Pope Benedict XVI, ការបើកចំហរ Homily, Synod របស់ប៊ីស្សពថ្ងៃទី ២ ខែតុលាឆ្នាំ ២០០៥ ទីក្រុងរ៉ូម

Cardinal Raymond Burke also raised the issue of Islamization in an interview with Italian newspaper Il Giornale.

Islam is a threat in the sense that for the true Muslim, Allah must rule the world. Christ said in the Gospel: ‘Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s’. By contrast, the Islamic religion, which is based on the law of the Koran, aims to govern all countries where there are Muslims. While they are the minority they cannot insist, but when they become the majority they must apply the Sharia. - ថ្ងៃទី ២៦ ខែមីនាឆ្នាំ ២០២០ Il Giornale; English translation at brietbart.com

These are not politically correct statements, but are they true? Here is a compilation someone put forward on YouTube of Muslims from every walk of life—politicians, Imams, analysts, and jihadists—and what they have to say:

 

ពិនិត្យ​ការពិត

In his speech to Congress on the refugee crisis, Pope Francis called all parties to avoid a “simple reductionism, which sees only good or evil, righteous and sinners.” ^[8]cf. address to U.S. Congress, September 24th, 2015; straitstimes.com The wholesale branding of ទាំងអស់ self-described Muslims as a threat, or conversely, ignoring the prevalent ideology of Islam, as if it doesn’t exist, is counter-productive. On the one hand, there are thousands of families, like yours and mine, fleeing for their lives. On the other hand, the “open border” mass influx of migrants is destabilizing regions, thus fomenting fears and populist movements throughout the West, such as in America’s recent election or the Austrian Freedom Party. This too has the សក្តានុពល to breed other forms of extremism if not placing the world on the doorstep of a “global conflict.” 

Balance lies in facing the truth, in facing the multi-dimensional aspects of the crisis, and finding humane but prudent solutions rooted in ភាពពិត។

Any quest for solutions មាន to acknowledge what is the predominant Muslim ideology, namely, that Sharia Law should prevail. ^[9]Cf. The Myth of the Tiny Radical Muslim Minority  For instance, those who insist that American Muslims are “moderates” who don’t subscribe to what the mainstream media has termed “radical Islam” is simply not true.

ការស្រាវជ្រាវ Pew ការស្ទង់មតិរបស់ជនជាតិអាមេរិកាំងមូស្លីមដែលមានអាយុក្រោម ៣០ ឆ្នាំបានបង្ហាញថា ៦០ ភាគរយនៃពួកគេមានអារម្មណ៍ស្មោះត្រង់ចំពោះសាសនាអ៊ីស្លាមជាងអាមេរិក។ ក ការស្ទង់មតិទូទាំងប្រទេស ធ្វើឡើងដោយក្រុមហ៊ុនបោះឆ្នោតសម្រាប់មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលគោលនយោបាយសន្តិសុខបានបង្ហាញថា ៥១ ភាគរយនៃប្រជាជនម៉ូស្លីមបានយល់ព្រមថា“ ប្រជាជនម៉ូស្លីមនៅអាមេរិកគួរតែមានជម្រើសគ្រប់គ្រងដោយយោងតាមសាសៀ” ។ លើសពីនេះទៀត ៥១ ភាគរយនៃអ្នកដែលបានស្ទង់មតិជឿជាក់ថាពួកគេគួរតែមានជម្រើសតុលាការអាមេរិចឬសារៀ។ - វីលីម៉ាគីលប៉ាទ្រីក“ មិនស្គាល់គ្រីស្តបរិស័ទស្តីពីអន្តោប្រវេសន៍ម៉ូស្លីម” ថ្ងៃទី ៣០ ខែមករាឆ្នាំ ២០១៧; ទស្សនាវដ្តីវិបត្តិ

In contrast to the previous video, this short clip is not the hysteria of angry mobs we’re used to seeing on television, but is a cool, detached reality check that echoes the findings of those polls. Again, from the mouths of Muslims themselves:

It helps, also, to consider all that the Holy Father has said on the issue. For instance, it’s not correct that Pope Francis has ignored the present dangers, though admittedly, he rarely emphasizes them as he did in this interview:

The truth is that just [250 miles] from Sicily there is an incredibly cruel terrorist group. So there is a danger of infiltration, this is true… Yes, nobody said Rome would be immune to this threat. But you can take precautions. —POPE FRANCIS, interview with Radio Renascenca, Sept. 14th, 2015; ញូវយ៉កភ្នំពេញប៉ុស្តិ៍

Indeed, politicians from several continents—not just America’s Donald Trump—have called for “precautions” in order to ensure the safety of their respective countries, including the well-respected Premier of Saskatchewan in Canada: ^[10]មើលឃើញ វិបត្តិវិបត្តិជនភៀសខ្លួន

I am asking you [Prime Minister Trudeau] to suspend your current plan to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the end of the year and to re-evaluate this goal and the processes in place to achieve it… Surely we do not want to be date-driven or numbers-driven in an endeavour that may affect the safety of our citizens and the security of our country. -កាសែត The Huffington Post, November 16th, 2015; note: since President Donald Trump’s executive order on immigration, Mr. Wall has offered to process Syrian refugees, however, he maintains that the process should not be rushed or “date-driven”.

Are these calls for precaution warranted or are they merely xenophobia ^[11]ការស្អប់ខ្ពើមជនបរទេស: irrational dislike or fear of other nationalities in disguise? In the recent terrorist attacks in Nice, Brussels, Paris and Germany, the majority of those who carried them out entered those countries ‘posing as migrants.’ ^[12]cf. “Majority of Paris attackers used migration routes to enter Europe, reveals Hungarian counter-terror chief “, Telegraph ដែលមានមូលដ្ឋាននេះ, ខែតុលា 2nd, 2016 An ISIS operative has allegedly admitted that they have been smuggling Jihadists into the West as “refugees.” ^[13]cf. ប្រេសថ្ងៃទី ១៨ ខែវិច្ឆិកាឆ្នាំ ២០១៥ And in Germany, the Gatestone Institute reports that, “During the first six months of 2016, migrants committed 142,500 crimes… equivalent to 780 crimes committed by migrants every day, an increase of nearly 40% over 2015.” ^[14]Cf. www.gatestoneinstitute.org

So how does one balance the obligation of the State to protect the vulnerable, both within her borders, and those knocking on her doors in dire need?

 

WELCOMING THE STRANGER

In a blunt address to a meeting of Catholics and Lutherans in Germany, Pope Francis decried “the contradiction of those who want to defend Christianity in the West, and, on the other hand, are against refugees and other religions.”

It’s hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of my help… You cannot be a Christian without doing what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 25. -កាតូលិក Herald ខែតុលា 13th, 2016

‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Matt 25:37-40)

The “stranger” is នរណាម្នាក់ in need. Jesus does not say the “Catholic” stranger or the starving “Christian” or the “Catholic” prisoner. The reason is that every human being is made in the image of God, and therefore, their inherent worth demands that we uphold and preserve their dignity.

This was one of the most beautiful and controversial facets of Jesus’ life: He looked past the religion of the Samaritan, the nationality of the Roman, and above all, the weakness, corruption, and sin of the human person to that រូបភាពនៃព្រះ in which they were created. He healed, delivered, and preached to all. As a result, Jesus scandalized the teachers of the Law—those who used religion as a pretense to power and worldly comfort, but who were devoid of compassion and mercy. ^[15]Cf. រឿងអាស្រូវនៃមេត្តា

The first thing we need to see in the refugee who seeks ជម្រក is not the face of a Muslim, an African, or a Syrian… but the face of Christ in the distressing disguise of the poor.

The international community as a whole has the moral obligation to intervene on behalf of those groups whose very survival is threatened or whose basic human rights are seriously violated. -Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, ន។ ៩៧

Nothing precludes giving food, water and basic shelter to someone who may even be an enemy.

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you… Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good. (Luke 6:27-28, Rom 12:20-21)

 

PROTECTING ONE’S OWN

The Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People stated that, “The Christian community must overcome fear and suspicion toward refugees, and be able to see in them the Savior’s face.” ^[16]Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, “Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity”, n.27; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា Sadly, it is not always the “Savior’s face” occupying the streets and neighbourhoods of European towns and cities. ^[17]Cf. វិបត្តិវិបត្តិជនភៀសខ្លួន As mentioned, many have had to cope with dramatic upticks in violence, rape, and vandalism that also migrated into Europe. The Catholic archbishop of Berlin, Heiner Koch (who was appointed by Pope Francis) proposes a reality check:

Perhaps we focused too much on the radiant image of humanity, on the good. Now in the last year, or perhaps also in recent years, we have seen: No, there is also evil. -World Tribune, ខែមករា 29th, 2017

It was a Tunisian national, who arrived among a wave of Arab migrants, and murdered 12 people at a Christmas market in Berlin by driving a truck into the crowd. 

So the State ផងដែរ has an obligation to safeguard the peace and security of those within its borders (even if that requires “armed forces”).

Those who defend the security and freedom of a country, in such a spirit, make an authentic contribution to peace… there exists, therefore, a right to defend oneself from terrorism. -Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, n. 502, 514 (cf. Second Vatican Council, Gaudium និង Spes, 79; POPE JOHN PAUL II, Message for the 2002 World Youth Day for Peace, 5

It is moral and licit for those endowed with the responsibility to protect their citizens to take every precaution against admitting terrorists into their countries, while always remembering that “the human person is the foundation and purpose of political life.” ^[18]Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, ន។ ៩៧ For one, not only are they protecting their own inhabitants but also those seeking refuge in their nations. It would be a tragic irony for refugees to migrate to the West—only to find that the very terrorists whom they were fleeing have walked right in with them.

It must also be said, though, that in targeting terrorists…

…the guilty party must be duly proven, because criminal responsibility is always personal, and therefore cannot be extended to the religions, nations or ethnic groups to which the terrorists belong. -Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, ន។ ៩៧

How countries implement safeguards on their immigration policies is not for the Church to dictate, but rather, she is there providing a guiding voice in her social teaching. 

 

SOLUTIONS TO THE IMMEDIATE NEED

Still, the question remains: what about those genuine refugees needing ភ្លាម asylum, food and water (many of them victims of the fallout from American foreign policy from the Bush and Obama administrations—policy that has destabilized the Middle East and aided and abetted terrorist organizations like ISIS, who have now driven them from the homes….)? The Church’s social Magisterium teaches:

…a courageous and lucid analysis of the reasons behind terrorist attacks [is essential]… The fight against terrorism presupposes the moral duty to help create those conditions that will prevent it from arising or developing. -Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, ន។ ៩៧

One solution—the most obvious one—is to put an end to the conditions which are generating refugees in the first place. For…

It is not only a case of binding up wounds: commitment is also necessary in order to act on the causes that are the source of the streams of refugees. —Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, “Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity”, n.20; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា

However, since the battle in the Middle East is mostly over oil reserves and control—not injustice—one wonders what will transform the greed of the ruling elite and military-industrial complex beyond an intervention from God? ^[19]Cf. ការវះកាត់អវកាស 

A second humane solution (already in place in some countries) is to create dignified “safe zones” organized and defended by the international community until refugees are relocated—or safely returned home. But “given their overcrowding, the insecurity of national frontiers, and a policy of deterrence which transforms certain camps into virtual prisons… even when humanely treated, the refugee still feels humiliated [and is]… at the mercy of others.” ^[20]cf. Ibid ។ n ។ ១៨

Third, is to continue to relocate refugees into Western nations, but with a សញ្ញាព្រមាន: that the laws and culture of the lands to which they are coming must be respected; that Sharia Law—which is incompatible with Western principles of law, freedom, the dignity of women, etc.—cannot be implemented; and that a mutual respect of customs be upheld insofar as they are within the existing framework of the law.

Unfortunately, the predominant tide of political correctness in Western society not only opposes any notion of prudent assimilation, but subtly persecutes its own cultural roots to the point where Christianity is often rejected, while other religions are not only tolerated, but celebrated. In what is becoming a tragic irony, dominant Islamic thought does មិនមាន celebrate the prevailing Western “ideals” of democracy, feminism, and relativism. In yet another twist of irony, militant atheist, Richard Dawkins, ហាក់ដូចជា to come to the defence of Christianity:

មិនមានគ្រីស្ទបរិស័ទដូចខ្ញុំដឹងទេផ្លុំអាគារ។ ខ្ញុំមិនដឹងពីអ្នកបំផ្ទុះគ្រាប់បែកអត្តឃាតណាម្នាក់ទេ។ ខ្ញុំមិនដឹងអំពីនិកាយគ្រីស្ទសាសនាសំខាន់ៗណាដែលជឿថាការដាក់ទោសចំពោះការក្បត់ជំនឿគឺជាការស្លាប់ទេ។ ខ្ញុំមានអារម្មណ៍ច្របូកច្របល់អំពីការធ្លាក់ចុះនៃគ្រីស្ទសាសនារហូតមកដល់ពេលនេះគ្រីស្ទសាសនាអាចជាការប្រឆាំងនឹងអ្វីដែលអាក្រក់ជាងនេះ។ - ពី កាសែត The Times (ការកត់សម្គាល់ពីឆ្នាំ ២០១០) បានបោះពុម្ពផ្សាយឡើងវិញ Brietbart.comថ្ងៃទី ១០ ខែមករាឆ្នាំ ២០១៤

 

CALIPHATE, AND THE CATHOLIC RESPONSE

We are left with the question of how to respond to those intent on spreading the Islamic Caliphate to your neighbourhood and mine. What happens when ‘those conditions’ that create violent aggression are not the fruit of social injustices, but rather, នៃ មនោគមវិជ្ជា of a large sect of people, in this case, Islam?

Pope Benedict XVI attempted to address this in a famous speech given at the University of Regensburg, Germany. ^[21]Cf. នៅលើម៉ាក He called Muslims and all religions to “faith និង reason” in order to avoid the kind of religious fanaticism that is beginning to tear the world apart. ^[22]Cf. នាវាខ្មៅ - ផ្នែកទី ២ Benedict quoted an emperor who once stated that what Muhammad had brought was “evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.” ^[23]cf. Regensburg, Germany, Sept. 12, 2006; ហ្សេនីត.org This set off a firestorm of, ironically, ការតវ៉ាដោយហិង្សា។

The violent reactions in many parts of the Islamic world justified one of Pope Benedict’s main fears… They show the link for many Islamists between religion and violence, their refusal to respond to criticism with rational arguments, but only with demonstrations, threats, and actual violence. —Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney; www.timesonline.co.uk, September 19, 2006

It is certainly possible for Catholics and Muslims to live in mutual peace; many are doing so already, and we should indeed strive for this. After all, in one of Mohammad’s earlier sayings, he taught:

មិនមានការបង្ខំនៅក្នុងសាសនាទេ។ -ស៊ូរ៉ា 2, 256

Obviously, some Muslims live by that—but many don’t. For those who don’t convert to Islam in some of the world’s largest Muslim nations, a tax, confiscation of one’s home, or worse—death—can be imposed under Sharia Law. Still, many Muslims choose to abide by Mohammad’s more peaceful precepts, and thus, Pope St. John XXIII wrote:

There is reason to hope… that by meeting and negotiating, men may come to discover better the bonds that unite them together, deriving from the human nature which they have in common… it is not fear which should reign but love… -Pacem in Teris, លិខិត Encyclical, n ។ ២២

Many question whether or not the Caliphate can be met with peace, and state that a military conflict is ជៀសមិនរួច, as it was in defeating the ideology of Nazism. If so, the rules of engagement must continue to follow the paths of justice, what the Church’s social Magisterium has outlined concerning “just war” (see Catechism នៃព្រះវិហារកាតូលិក, ណ។ ២៦៥៧-៥៨). Here, we must be reminded that prayer is more powerful than weapons and that war often “creates new and still more complicated conflicts.” ^[24]ប៉ូប៉ូអេស VI, Address to Cardinals, ខែមិថុនា 24th, 1965 

War is an adventure without return…. No to war! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity. —POPE JOHN PAUL II, from “John Paul II: In His Own Words”, cbc.ca

 

THE ULTIMATE RESPONSE

Yet, in all of the discussion, debates, and demands to show tolerance and compassion, to be welcoming and to open borders to refugees (who are mostly Muslim), we cannot forget the greatest obligation of  every Christian: to make visible and known the message of ការសង្គ្រោះ. As St. John Paul II said, “we will reach justice through evangelization.” ^[25]Opening Address at the Puebla Conference at Seminario Palafoxiano, Puebla de los Angeles, Mexico, January 28th,  1979; III-4; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា The reason is that Christianity is not just another philosophical option, another religious path among many. It is នៃ revelation of the Father’s love to all of humanity and the path to eternal life. It is also the deepest realization of one’s existence, for “Christ… fully reveals man to man himself.” ^[26]Gaudium et Spes, Vatican II, n. 22; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា

សាសនាចក្រមានដើម្បីផ្សាយដំណឹងល្អដើម្បីផ្សព្វផ្សាយនិងបង្រៀនធ្វើជាប៉ុស្តិ៍នៃអំណោយទានព្រះគុណផ្សះផ្សាមនុស្សមានបាបជាមួយព្រះនិងលះបង់ការបូជារបស់ព្រះគ្រីស្ទនៅក្នុងអភិបូជាដែលជា រំofកពីការសុគតនិងការរស់ឡើងវិញដ៏រុងរឿងរបស់ទ្រង់។ - ប៉ូផូល VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, n ។ ៣៩; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា

ទោះជាយ៉ាងណា, there is a false and dangerous current flowing through the Church at this hour—one that ties into the general apostasy of our times—and that is the notion that our aim is essentially to live peacefully, tolerantly, and comfortably with one another. ^[27]Cf. នាវាខ្មៅ - ផ្នែកទី ២ Well, that is our hope… but it is not our goal. Our commission from Christ Himself is to…

…make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matt 28:19-20)

Thus, said John Paul II, “If the Church gets involved in defending or promoting human dignity, it does so in accordance with its mission,” ^[28]cf. Opening Address at the Puebla Conference at Seminario Palafoxiano, Puebla de los Angeles, Mexico, January 28th, 1979; III-2; ewtn.com which is a consideration of the “whole being.” ^[29]Ibid. III-2 The Christian mission involves the “fuller liberation” of the person, “liberation from everything that oppresses man but which is above all liberation from sin and the Evil One, in the joy of knowing God and being known by Him, of seeing Him, and of being given over to Him.” ^[30]ប៉ូប៉ូអេស VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, ណ។ ៥៧៥; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា As Christians, we are called to not only be instruments of peace—“blessed are the peacemakers”—but to point others to the Prince of Peace. 

គ្មានការផ្សាយដំណឹងល្អពិតទេប្រសិនបើឈ្មោះការបង្រៀនជីវិតការសន្យានគរនិងអាថ៌កំបាំងនៃព្រះយេស៊ូវនៃណាសារ៉ែតជាព្រះរាជបុត្រានៃព្រះមិនត្រូវបានប្រកាសទេ។ - ប៉ូផូល VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, ណ។ ៥៧៥; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា

But Jesus warned, “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you… You will be hated by all because of my name.” ^[31]cf. John 15:20, Luke 21:17 The Church’s history is traced by the bloody footsteps of the martyrs—men and women who gave their lives to bring the Good News to Jews, Gentiles, pagans, and yes, Muslims.

Working for peace can never be separated from announcing the Gospel, which is in fact the “good news of peace” (Acts 10:36; cf. Eph 6:15)…. The peace of Christ is in the first place reconciliation with the Father, which is brought about by the ministry Jesus entrusted to his disciples… -Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, ន។ ២, ៣០

…and entrusted to you and I. Perhaps another good that can come from this refugee crisis is that, for some of them, this may be their តែ ឱកាសទៅ មើលឃើញ និង ស្ដាប់ the Gospel.

ប៉ុន្ដែតើអោយគេអង្វររកព្រះអង្គដូចម្ដេចកើតបើគេមិនជឿ? ហើយតើពួកគេអាចជឿលើលោកដែលពួកគេមិនធ្លាប់បាន? យ៉ាងដូចម្តេចទៅ? ហើយតើពួកគេអាច hear ដោយគ្មាននរណាម្នាក់អធិប្បាយយ៉ាងដូចម្តេច? (រ៉ូម ១០:១៤)

But as St. James reminds us, the Gospel has no credibility if we ignore the real needs of “the least brothers” of ours. ^[32]cf. ម៉ាថ ៣: ២

If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:15-17)

Refugees, by virtue of their inherent human dignity, deserve to be cared for ដោយមិនគិត of whether or not the opportunity arises to share the message of the Gospel (though unconditional love that looks beyond color, race, and creed is a powerful witness). 

The Church, however, deplores all forms of proselytism among refugees that take advantage of their vulnerable situation, and upholds the freedom of conscience even in the difficulties of exile. —Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, “Refugees: A Challenge to Solidarity”, n.28; វ៉ាទីកង់វ៉ា

Nonetheless, extending the message of salvation means that we may confront at times, not a grateful refugee, but a hostile opponent. We must continue to preach the Gospel through service—and words which find their credibility in our love for the other, even if that love demands the giving of our very lives. That, in fact, is the most credible witness there is. ^[33]មើលឃើញ Where Heaven Touches Earth – Part IV

 

LAST WORD… OUR LADY WILL TRIUMPH!

I think it’s clear that we cannot reduce the current crisis to merely human or political terms. It’s worth repeating the admonition of St. Paul:

ការតស៊ូរបស់យើងមិនមែនដោយសាច់និងឈាមទេប៉ុន្តែគឺដោយមានគោលជំហរជាមួយនឹងអំណាចជាមួយអ្នកគ្រប់គ្រងពិភពលោកនៃភាពងងឹតបច្ចុប្បន្ននេះជាមួយនឹងពួកវិញ្ញាណអាក្រក់នៅលើមេឃ។ (អេភេសូរ ៦:១២)

Behind the wars, behind the greed of those “anonymous financial interests which turn men into slaves”, ^[34]ប៉ុបប៉ីទី ១៦, ការឆ្លុះបញ្ចាំងបន្ទាប់ពីការអានការិយាល័យសម្រាប់ម៉ោងទី ៣ នាព្រឹកនេះនៅ Synod Aula, បុរីវ៉ាទីកង់, ថ្ងៃទី ១១ ខែតុលាឆ្នាំ ២០១០ មាន វិញ្ញាណបិសាច operating against the Divine order and the plan of Redemption. So too, we must courageously recognize that behind Islam, or any religion which does not recognize Jesus Christ as Lord, there is a deception at work.

This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world. (I John 4:2-3)

As such, we can only confront the spirit of deception in a spirit of អំណាច និង អាច—that is, God’s Spirit.  In that regard, we would do well to tap into the “divine program” underway which, once again, places Our Lady in a central role.

នៅលើកំរិតសកលនេះប្រសិនបើជ័យជំនះមកដល់វានឹងត្រូវបាននាំមកដោយម៉ារី។ ព្រះគ្រីស្ទនឹងយកជ័យជំនះលើនាងពីព្រោះទ្រង់ចង់ ឲ្យ ជ័យជំនះរបស់សាសនាចក្រនាពេលបច្ចុប្បន្ននិងអនាគតទៅនឹងនាង។ - ផូចចូប៉ូលប៉ូ ២ ឆ្លងកាត់ច្រកនៃក្តីសង្ឃឹម, ទំ។ 221

ហើយម្តងទៀត

The Church has always attributed particular efficacy to [the Rosary]… the most difficult problems. At times when Christianity itself seemed under threat, its deliverance was attributed to the power of this prayer, and Our Lady of the Rosary was acclaimed as the one whose intercession brought salvation. - ផូចចូប៉ូលប៉ូ ២ Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 40

ប្រសិនបើអ្នកមិនបានអាន ស្ត្រីរបស់យើងនៃការជិះតាក់ស៊ី, well, you’ve just got to. It will put a smile on your face. Because I believe it is a hint at how Our Lady is going to play a key role in the conversion of Islam to Jesus Christ. And I say this with joy because no Muslim should ever find Christians to be a threat. What we offer (in trembling hands) is the fulfillment of all desires: ព្រះយេស៊ូវ “the way, the truth, and the life.” This is what He said! ^[35]see John 14:6 While respecting the genuine truths that Islam, Buddhism, Protestantism, and many other “isms” hold, we can say with joy: but there is more! The Catholic Church, bruised and battered as she is, safeguards a treasury of grace for every human being. She is not for the elite: she is a gateway for the ពិភពលោកទាំងមូល to the Heart of Christ, and thus, eternal life. May none of us Catholics stand in the way of this joyful, precious, and urgent message. May God forgive us for our cowardice in keeping it hidden!

Imploring the Blessed Mother’s help, then, let us go out into the hearts of men with courage and faith in the power of the Gospel which “is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword.” ^[36]ហេព្រើរ 4: 12 Let us embrace our enemies, refugees, and those far away with the power of ស្រឡាញ់. For “God is love”, and therefore, we cannot fail, even if we lose our lives.

On this Memorial of the martyrs of Japan, may Saint Paul Miki and his Companions អធិស្ឋានសម្រាប់យើង។

 

ការអានដែលទាក់ទង

ស្ត្រីរបស់យើងនៃការជិះតាក់ស៊ី

វិបត្តិវិបត្តិជនភៀសខ្លួន

ឆ្កួត!

អំណោយនីហ្សេរីយ៉ា

 

  
ជូនពរអ្នកនិងអរគុណ។

 

ដើម្បីធ្វើដំណើរជាមួយម៉ាកុសនៅក្នុងព្រះគម្ពីរមរមន នេះ ឥឡូវពាក្យ,
ចុចលើបដាខាងក្រោម ជាវជាប្រចាំ.
អ៊ីមែលរបស់អ្នកនឹងមិនត្រូវបានចែករំលែកជាមួយនរណាម្នាក់ឡើយ។