Peter Knox SJ's blog

As the only body in the world that can bring nations together to give them a say in affairs of vital interest to them all, the United Nations convened the Climate Change Conference from the 7th to the 18th of this month. Those of us who are not up-to-date with the ecological debate may have found it all a bit confusing, or taken sides as we do at soccer matches.

We are aware of how the previous South African regime used to sell South African manufactured armaments in unstable regions like the Middle East, South America and parts of Africa. This cynical disregard for the security of the citizens of other countries helped to earn our country the status of pariah nation.

I have been completely amazed at the media attention surrounding Michael Jackson's death and puzzled at the public outpouring of grief.

(Address of Bishop Kevin Dowling at the Launch of Fr Peter Knox's book)

Christa was a little girl whose story will never grace the pages on which important life events are captured. But Christa was a little girl who captured my heart totally, who touched my life and my journey with experiences too deep, too precious, to translate into words. As such, she will always remain in my heart, and this is a simple but beautiful gift from God to me.

I ask myself why I should go through the sham of another election; why I should legitimate another five years of government with my vote; what difference my vote will make when it is a foregone conclusion; how I can possibly think I’ll make a difference. Isn’t it better just not to turn up on the day, and there will then be twenty-one million votes minus one – mine – abstaining, making my voice heard. Or maybe I should spoil my ballot and that may be counted as a protest vote – a protest against all these men and women who promise they have my interests at heart and then go ahead and do as their party dictates.