Nuance 22

Here is the material that got automatically deleted: I had mentioned Dr. Rosalie Bertell, the nun who was also a cancer researcher, environmental activist and and epidemiologist. She was speaking at the 1983 World Forum of the convening of the World Council of Churches, which was taking place in Vancouver at UBC in August of that year. I find it interesting that no further mention was given of Ms. Bertell's theory about El Niño being caused by French underwater nuclear testing, a very plausible theory, but perhaps just a little too controversial for public consumption. During that time I heard other notable speakers, among them the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcies, and Coretta Scott King, the widow of Martin Luther King. That was an incredible and intense year for me. We also had our own solidarity movement, a huge coalition of labour leaders, social activists and professionals working in health and community support occupations and radicalized poor folk like me, all organizing against the right wing provincial government that was set to shred our social safety net. Unfortunately they succeeded and many vulnerable people have suffered. it was also during that time that I received my calling and began my ministry to street involved queer and trans people, AIDS sufferers, sex workers and others falling through the cracks. We are needing people with vision and hearts moved by love if we are going to find our way through this complex of messes we have created ourselves. We are facing some very challenging times. I think this is a time for people to really return to faith, to let go of their selfish excuses for rejecting the God of love. We are going to have to be no less than saints, all of us, if we are going to really get through the planetary challenges that are confronting us. It is not yet too late, but there are many forces dominated by greed and the lust for power that are getting in the way. They will not stand forever.