Greetings from the cradle of The Society of Friends, Quakers, at Swathmore Hall. We are having a rest day after a challenging three days, challenging due to the realities of life in this region. George Fox found this 16th Century society here and we are enjoying the life giving place on the rural edge of Ulverton. Peace and solitude, organic grounds and gardens, spiritual food for the soul, loving hospitality for the walkers. How idyllic for our centering rest!
The Friends have been providing hospitality, support and participation in the Walk's purpose since entering England a week ago. They are light in the darkness, along with individuals and small peace groups in the area.) The closer we got to Sellafield Nuclear Repossessing and then the BAE Systems plant in Barrow, the more fearful was the presence of the community, fearful in that the inhabitants are fearful for their "livelihoods" dependent upon nuclear weapons and power. The word is that they do not want peace!
As we wound our way in the gray rain toward Sellafield on Friday, we saw the gray figures of the nuclear power plants, processing stacks, and buildings spread out in the fog of the valley by the sea. The sun emerged to warm our vigil at the gates, where the group stood in silence with drumming while I stood with arms extended in prayer for the peoples and communities.
Though more sunny and friendly, the weather could not overcome the dark gray of the newly launched submarine at Barrow, BAE Systems. The sub nestled the birthing dock as though attempting to disguise itself even at birth. BAE Systems developed the sub to "protect" the Trident submarines with Cruise Missiles and other lethality. The BAE and the community await orders to build the next generation of Tridents for the United Kingdom.
Sellafield and BAE Systems have a death mission for destruction, destroying the world to save it! As I mentioned previously, the whole local economy is build upon nuclear radiation. People seem to feel trapped by the reality, therefore the denial and hostility.
The strong unions for the coal minors and steel workers have been replaced by the bought off union leaders at Sellafield and BAE Systems. The government phased out the coal mines by replacing them with nuclear power, step by step. Duncan has joined us after living in local exile and after being squeezed out of Sellafield, despite a 19 year employment there. He came to us by trying to catch us, sleeping in farm fields and developing blistered feet. He will come to London with us.
I could not help feeling like Jesus overlooking Jerusalem and weeping for the city.
Thank God for the light of the Quakers! (The other churches are silent.)
Tomorrow, we head inland, walking for a time in the largest UK national park.
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The silence of the churches is a sorrow. In the introduction to "Apostle of Peace: Essays in Honor of Daniel Berrigan", (published by Orbis Books in 1996) John Dear quotes Dan Berrigan--
"Our real shrines are nuclear installations and the Pentagon and the war research laboratories," Dan explains. "This is where we worship, allowing ourselves to hear the obscene command that we kill and be killed--a command which, it seems to me, is anti-Christ, anti-God. The mainline churches have joined this effort to make killing acceptable and normal--at least by silence."(7)
The commands of Christ, on the other hand, could not be clearer: "No killing, no war, which is to say, above all, no nuclear weapons. And thence the imperative: Resist those who research, deploy or justify, on whatever grounds, such weaponry."(8)
7. John Deedy, "Apologies, Good Friends:" An Interim Biography of Daniel Berrigan, S.J. (Chicago: Fides/Claretian, 1981), 128-129.
8. Daniel Berrigan, "Swords into Plowshares," in Michael True, ed., Daniel Berrigan: Poetry, Drama, Prose (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Boosk, 1988), 182.
I am grateful for the prophetic voices for peace raised by the peaceful, dedicated, visionary people on this walk, by the Quakers around Sallefield, by other prophets such as Berrigan and Dear and by all who pray for peace. Thank you.
Julie
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