Father Rob Esdaile will speak about “The courage of the white flag?” at this year’s Anthony Storey Memorial Peace and Justice Lecture.
For the past 20 years, Father Rob has written reflections used by Pax Christi in Peace Sunday celebrations and he is priest adviser on social action in Arundel and Brighton Diocese.
As an introduction to the lecture Father Rob writes: “Many people were shocked when, in the course of a television interview in early March, Pope Francis spoke of ‘The courage of the white flag’ in relation to the war in Ukraine.
“Was this childish naivete or profound realism? Was it supine appeasement or a creative attempt to prevent a relentless cycle of violence?
“How should we balance principle and pragmatism? Christ’s radical command not to kill and to love our enemies with the sordid realities of realpolitik? What price peace – and what is the cost of the alternative?”
The lecture, which is hosted by the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission, will once again be on a weekday evening, Tuesday June 4 at 6pm, and again is via Zoom.
To register, email Barbara Hungin at bhungin@yahoo.co.uk.