EDGES MAGAZINE |
OCTOBER 1997 |
August
31st 1997 will live in our memory forever. The death of a Princess touched
our nations hearts with grief. Her life was not in vain; yet maybe
it is only now after her blood has been shed and her body drained of its
life that we have come to understand the true Diana who had her share of
brokenness. Her fragility had been exposed to the world; hence she felt
raped by certain journalists and newspaper editors. Yet she gave a
dignified acceptance to the reality of her human condition and this
enabled her to understand the plight of those who suffer. It is much
easier to understand human suffering if you can interpret it in your own
life. Tertullian once wrote torture us, rack us, condemn us, crush
us; your cruelty only proves our innocence. Maybe these words will
penetrate the minds of the cruel paparazzi who at times hounded her like
birds of prey. The majority of us will escape from the flashing lights and
journalists pen, but all of us can encounter the heartless remarks
of others as we become misunderstood. Character assassination can be the
most subtle and artful way of weakening a human spirit. I hope Dianas
death will be a reminder to us all of how we should treat each other.
Thomas Pope Blount wrote every flower of the field, every fibre of a
plant, every particle of an insect, carries with it the impress of its
Maker, and can-if duly considered-read us lectures of ethics or divinity.
To some extent we are like a flower, delicate exposed and breakable. But
what is broken can be fixed corrected and rebuilt. She did not allow the
ridiculing intrusion of her personal life by bloodthirsty photographers to
prevent her from gluing the cracks and using the damaged vessel of her
being for the service of others. This in it self, is a considerable and
meaningful legacy for anyone to leave behind.
Edges Magazine aims to give dignity to people who can often be looked upon as offensive, nasty and repulsive. Some of our contributors in the past, have committed crime and spent time in prison. Others have experienced the nightmare of homelessness, drugs, discrimination and rejection. Equally, there are those who have had a relatively easy life, uncontaminated from some of the terrifying ordeals of living. Yet, what unites everyone in this magazine is the keen desire to keep a channel of communication open. Our humanity cries out for roads to be built that can lead to each others hearts. But there are many in this publication who have had to endure the misfortune and difficulty of road blocks which obstruct communication and leave the individual isolated, lonely and powerless. However, their hurdles and hindrances often do not weaken their determination to hope for a better future.
EDITOR Rev James Patrick McCartney
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Material Copyright © 1997 THOMAS (Those on the Margins of a Society)
THOMAS is an integral part of Catholic Welfare Societies, Registered
Charity number 503102