He’s in his seventies now. A Franciscan Friar TOR (like Friar Tuck in many ways). Semi-retired which means in Religious Life heading a parish, assisting the elderly at Mt. Assisi Monastery in Loretto and still doing all that is needed within a parish environment. What Fr. Kevin Queally TOR would like to do is join the multitude of protestors who are fighting for Social Justice in Washington DC and around the globe. Fr. Kevin is also a Green Warrior, believing that society cannot exist without protecting and nourishing our planet’s environment.
Social Justice = Equality/Racial Justice = Protecting our Planet
We cannot have one without the others. Franciscans understand this, as do the Church they are a part of. All faith groups have a balancing act, equalizing our love for humanity and the earth we live on. It’s all about respect, you see. If you respect another person, all the conflicts and social tensions that have risen to a high pitch would subside. War, conflict, terrorism, criminality, social and personal abuse all exist because someone does not respect another. Pointing out that respecting the planet and its riches will nourish humanity and preserve our planet makes good sense. Yet humanity’s needs and greed seem to sidestep respect for the environment and center upon the uncontrolled harvesting of everything that can be commercially purchased and sold. It’s all about the mighty duck.
Social Justice Warriors, Green Protectionists and nearly every member of the Franciscan Fellowship cherish our environment, wilderness and fellow humanity. They actually put themselves into harm’s way to make a point to all others, “that everything is limited on this planet and uncontrolled harvesting of our planet’s riches will eventually come to an end.” That said, they also proclaim that God’s Love is unending and Humanities Spirit can overcome all obstacles.
Fr. Kevin once travelled the world proclaiming God’s love and the Spirit of Humanity’s ability to change and protect this world. Folks its the only one we have, you see! Religious beliefs God placed this world in our hands, yet humanity has not been a very good manager/protector of it. Humanity is Responsible for allowing the earth’s riches to be harvested willy-nilly, without conscience or moral application. Father Kevin would say frankly that we all will reap what we have sown. Irresponsible people and corporations are raping our lands, oceans and skies while ignoring the multitude of poverty-stricken and homeless people all over this planet.
It comes down to this, folks. If not you, then who will fight for planet Earth? If not you, then who will fight to establish equality, fairness, and respectful tolerance in all things? It is you and I who need to march, protest injustice and persuade our neighbours across the planet that the time for change is NOW!
Fr. Kevin is a senior citizen whose only wish is to see young people make the cause of Social Justice their own. Religious or secular matters not, the path leading us to save our planet is going to be demanding, filled with danger and patient achievement too. Selfish people will stand in our way, wishing to fill their pockets with gold while not returning anything to our planet.
Make Fr. Kevin Proud. Whether you’re located in North Bay, Toronto, Washington DC, Rome, Moscow or Tokyo, people of like minds need to gather and speak up, Be Heard! This is a Global Enterprise.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
