Another Canadian Election

Well, Canadians are going to the polls again on May 2, 2011—the fourth time in seven years. Is this an indication that our democratic system is in decline? Does it reflect a lack of political will among our MPs to work together for the good of the nation? Or do our politicians have a deeper commitment to our democratic system by trying to engage Canadians more in politics through the process of elections? Or are there other factors at work as well?

The chief reason for an election this time round is the charge against the conservative government of contempt of parliament—which, until now, has no precedent in Canadian political history. The charge is a serious one, yet many Canadians who have been interviewed about the issue don’t seem too concerned. Rather, they complain about wasting taxpayer money on another election. Is such a complaint a clue that voter turnout is going to drop even lower than the last election? I hope not, but I think it is a possibility.

So far in the national media and on the web, one of the big stories is that of excluding Green Party leader Elizabeth May from the televised leaders’ debates. This is a broken record from the 2008 election. Eventually, thanks to plenty of citizens lobbying in protest, May was included. This time, the party has decided to go the route of a law suit after a decision of the media moguls to exclude May. Who are they to make such a decision? About one million Canadians voted for May in the last election, and now their voice is going to be silenced if the media moguls get their way. Equally as troubling is the lack of support among the present political party leaders to insist that May has as much a right to be present at the debates as they do. Why are the party leaders so silent and unsupportive of May being included in the debates? Does their silence and lack of support for May and willingness to go along with the decision of the media moguls not indict them? One would hope that common sense and the Canadian constitution would prevail on such matters to the extent that litigation would not be necessary and everyone involved in the exclusion of May would come to their senses.

On the home front locally, here in the Medicine Hat riding, our recently re-elected mayor, Norm Boucher has stirred up quite a bit of controversy by deciding to take a leave of absence without pay to run as a candidate for the Liberal Party. He has not been happy with the performance of our present Conservative MP, Lavar Payne. While the city councillors are by and large supportive of Boucher’s decision, many Hatters are not. His critics are wondering now about the ethics of such a decision—does the mayor not have a responsibility to commitment himself to the office of mayor rather than make a personal decision which takes precedent over his public office? Moreover, shall the mayor be able to garner the public’s respect and trust as mayor should he not be elected as the riding’s MP? The riding itself has been a Conservative stronghold for many years—in fact, I think one could likely register their pet dog or cat as a candidate and they’d be elected!

Whether the voters, politicians and leaders will be able to drop the focus on personal matters, and mud-slinging rhetoric and address the pressing, real live issues of our nation remains to be seen. A few musings on this late Thursday evening. Now I'd like to read your comments on the election, what do you think?

A call to prayer for Ethiopian Church Mekane Yesus

Today I received the following letter in my e-mail inbox for a call to prayer for the Ethiopian Evangelical (Lutheran) Church Mekane Yesus. What a sad and tragic situation. The members of Mekane Yesus are certainly following the way of the cross this Lent. May Christ be with them to provide for their needs during this time of persecution. May the international community also intervene in a timely and appropriate way to facilitate a just peace in Ethiopia.

Dearly beloved,

Grace and peace to you,

I am sure by now you have all come back to your normal routines and back to the family and ministry you love. Thanks be to God for the privilege of having most you in Ethiopia on those historic few days in Addis Ababa.

I am writing this email to share with a prayer call I am asked to pass on to you by the President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, the Rev. Dr. Wakseyoum Idossa.

In the last few days over 41 churches and several evangelical mission stations or mission congregations were burned down. There are thousands of people expelled from their homes and some who are even badly beaten and killed. The perpetrators are Radical Islamist and Jihadist elements who are now operating in the western and south western parts of Ethiopia. I have spoken with Rev. Wakseyoum as he was visiting Mekane Yesus Churches and Synods close to the border of Sudan. The Voice of America (VOA) called, got in touch with him and interviewed him today and he spoke to the world from that remote spot through this international VOA radio streamed out of Washington DC.

On that interview given in Amharic he stated that, the Mekane Yesus have intentionally worked hard to establish good relationships with Muslim Ethiopians and that work have resulted in so much good and positive relationship. However he is shocked and saddened by this outbreak lashing out in heartbreaking atrocities. This brutal act is not the first of its kind. Three years ago Muslim fundamentalists have burned down several churches, killed evangelists, pastors and lay leaders. They are now repeating the same attacks. Today thousands have lost their homes, churches, family members and their rights to safely worship and conduct their ministries.

The Ethiopian government officials and security forces have intervened. The out come of their work is yet to be known. Some leaders from the central office of the Mekane Yesus Church in Addis Ababa have traveled to the area today to start getting help to the victims. There are many people who are now waiting to get some emergency aid in a camp. President Idossa is going to release another statement in the next few days as the investigation continues and as the government tries to bring these acts under control and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Persecution is not new to our church, however every time it happens it opens up old wounds and breaks the heart of many. In the middle all these our brothers and sisters are walking into this holy Lenten season not with ashes on their forehead but carrying the cross of Christ and confessing their faith in the words of Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd!"

May God renew our world in this Lenten season through the Holy Word of God and through power grace of God through Christ, Amen!!

Peace and Blessings,

The Rev. Dr. Gemechis D. Buba

drbuba@gmail.com

Cell: 773 678 2513

Living in God's Amazing Grace

Bruce Cockburn’s latest album

Canadian singer-songwriter, Bruce Cockburn is one of my favourite musicians. He is both a masterfully creative and extremely accomplished musician—always on the cutting edge by experimenting with a variety of genres. Bruce is an inspiration for other musicians, now active in his art for over four decades. In addition to this, I respect him because of his gift of incorporating his faith into his music—which is reminiscent of the Hebrew Bible prophets and their passion for social justice. Bruce, in my humble opinion, is the prophetic voice of our nation. You can read this CBC interview and listen to his latest album, Small Source of Comfort here.

The pope's new book

According to breaking news at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the pope, in his new book Jesus of Nazareth-Part II, absolves Jewish collective guilt for the death of Jesus. I think Christians (not only Roman Catholics) have been slow in absolving the Jews. Had Christians done so centuries ago, history may have been much different, a lot less antisemitism. It is, nonetheless, better late than never, especially in light of the growing antisemitism in many countries. It is too early to know how the church and the world shall respond to the pope's latest gesture, we'll have to wait and see. You can read the news release from SWC here.