Posted November 4, 2004 Book: Justice: A Global Adventure Author: Walter J. Burghardt Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY pp. 275 An Excerpt from the Jacket: “As he approaches his 90th birthday, Walter J. Burghardt focuses on major contemporary issues of justice through the prism of a life of theological wisdom and research, combined with a youthful sensitivity to cultural currents and social movements. After an insightful survey of the meanings of justice with a focus on biblical justice, Fr. Burghardt prepares a rich feast of justice applied to a wide range of practical issues. No contemporary work provides such profound correlation of theological expertise with prophetic concern for the future of the human family. Written in an elegant and ever engaging style, this global adventure would also be ideally suited as a college text, or parish study guide, which will challenge both student and teacher. John R. Donahue, S.J. An Excerpt from the Book: Cable costs have been steadily increasing, and the country’s seven largest cable companies control more than 75 percent of the market. If a community ends up with only one company owning the newspaper, the television station, the radio station, and the cable system, a plurality of voices seems unlikely. Given the amount of time people in this country spend in front of a TV or computer monitor and the amount of time they or others spend listening to the radio, it is hard to believe that media consolidation is going to be an asset in achieving justice in the United States or globally. A concern about controlling the media brings to mind a prayerful petition sent to me by the Reverend Peter Craven Fribley, who penned these words in the early days of the 2003 war in Iraq: That in a time of war, we give thanks for the blessing of the Internet: empowering ordinary people to connect, to share what they trust and to challenge what they do not; to encourage one another; to pray; to take heart; to take to the streets if so moved; in the unkept and uncontrollable democracy of cyberspace, overthrowing fallen angels and rulers and powers of a kept media. For in the Gospel according to St. John, it is recorded,” You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (Jn 8:31). And the truth cannot be controlled, kept, or spun. Not by ratings. Not by fear. Truth, like sun and rain, like youth and age, like seedtime and harvest, has a life all its own. The vast array of communication available to us, especially the Internet with its amazing speed, brings the world to our fingertips. That proximity brings with it responsibility. It is increasingly difficult to say we are not aware of injustice on our block, in our state, in our country, around the globe. Greater access to information automatically brings greater responsibility to work for justice. Table of Contents: 1. Justice Analyzed Justice Legal justice Ethical justice Biblical justice Social focus of scripture Justice and God’s earth Justice and Jesus The common good Catholic social tradition Summary II. Justice Applied Children The elderly Immigrants Immigration and terrorism Punitive or restorative justice? Life in prison restorative justice Capital punishment Capital punishment and mentally retarded Defendants Healing the wounds of murder Ecology Environment Consumerism Ecologists Homeless veterans A just war? The Persian Gulf War 1990-91 The Persian Gulf War 2003- III. Justice Sacramentalized Liturgy and justice History Integrative movements Integration Liturgy as transformation Conversion Liturgy of the world Liturgy inculturated IV. Justice Globalized Globalization Culture Second Vatican Council Postconciliar Catholic developments Globalization and justice Requirements of principle Approach/analysis 1: Globalism almost irreversible Approach/analysis: 2: Globalism reformed Approach/analysis 3: Globalism rejected Approach/analysis 4: Globalization in a Catholic perspective Failures in capitalism: from America to England Financing for development: U.N. International Conference, Monterrey World summit on sustainable development, Johannesburg Development assistance: United States Conclusions Postscript: A Teihardian Vision V. Justice Communicated Computer Internet World wide web E-mail Instant messaging Games Accessories and other tools Access The Internet and Justice Peace fellowship Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Episcopal, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim, Orthodox Peace Fellowships Other church-related initiatives Pontifical council for justice and peace International Jesuit network for development World Council of Churches Church World Service Catholic Worker Political Sites United Nations Amnesty International International Center for Justice and Reconciliation Families against Mandatory Minimums Electronic Iraq Environmental Justice and Public Health Center for Health, Environment and Justice Panos Institute World Health Organization United Nations Children’s Fund Environmental Justice Initiative, University of Michigan Conclusions