Re: Papal Apologies Searles O'Dubhainn Tue Oct 12 23:38:38 1999 I have mixed feelings about the letter. Witches and other Pagans were victims just like a lot of other folks during the Burning Times. The idea of Witchcraft and Paganism was used as propaganda to feed the hysteria. The Church may not have instigated a lot of the persecutions, but it also did nothing to stop them. In a sense, if there had been Church involvement in a truly Christian manner, then very few people would have been killed in the name (or glamour) of religion. A lack of action in Celtic terms (when someone is being assaulted) is an act of harm according to Brehon Law. Persons who stand by and do nothing are as guilty as the perpetrators of a crime.*p*I don't think we can ask the Catholic Church or the Pope for something that we ourselves are not willing to give. If we are prepared to ask for forgiveness for the actions of our own spiritual ancestors against Christians and Catholics, then we might more justifiably ask that they seek our own forgiveness. Rather than these actions of seeking forgiveness, I encourage everyone to enter into a spirit of mutual respect and understanding between our respective religions. After all, in The Summerlands "there is no mine or yours." There is instead a sense that we are a community of spirit and a transcending awareness that is beyond any form of base or spiteful emotion.*p*I would enjoy the opportunity to work together with our Paagan brothers and sisters to increase the possibilities for each of us to safely and successfully worship as the gods (and our own spirits) have called to us to do. I'm not certain that this particular letter is the way to travel on the road to that opportunity. Like yourself, I hope that truth, spirit and a sense of what is right to do will be our guides in supporting any action.*p*Sla/n is beannacht,*p*Searles*p*Jenny wrote,*br*: Let me start by saying I think this is a fine letter. I'd *br*: heard rumors that Pagan groups were considering asking for *br*: an apology, and I worried that the request would be some *br*: tactless rant about the Nine Million Martyrs. This isn't. *br*: It's a sane, sensible missive. Nicely worded, very *br*: considerate.*br*:*br*: So why aren't I signing it?*br*<snip> Re: Papal Apologies Jenny 217 Tue Oct 12 19:25:00 1999