October 7

Desmond Tutu, Frederick Donaldson, Mariano Gagnon, Hayim Katsman, and Vivian Silver

Author

David Barnhart
October 07, 2025

The Prodigal Son window, Trinity United Methodist Church, Birmingham. Own photo.

Today marks the anniversary of the October 7 attack in Israel, when Hamas terrorists massacred civilians. Among the murdered were Hayim Katsman and Vivian Silver, American- and Canadian-Israelis who were also peace activists and who had worked for justice for Palestinians. Nearly 1200 people would die in those attacks, and in the two years since, nearly 70,000 Gazans have been killed by the Israeli Defense Forces. Most of the murdered are likewise civilians, and disproportionately women and children. 

Today is the birthday, in 1929, of Mariano Gagnon, an American Catholic priest whose mission in Peru to the Ashaninka people saved many lives from Shining Path guerillas. 

Today also marks the birthday, in 1931, of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican priest, whose opposition to apartheid and work for peace and justice earned him a Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He would famously tell white police officers at protests, “We’re winning! You should join our side!” After apartheid ended, his philosophy of restorative justice helped inform the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

Today also marks the death, in 1953, of Frederick Donaldson, an Anglican priest who was passionate about world peace, women’s suffrage, and economic justice. 

Reflection: 

Desmond Tutu said: 

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

and:

“I don't preach a social gospel; I preach the Gospel, period. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is concerned for the whole person. When people were hungry, Jesus didn't say, "Now is that political or social?" He said, "I feed you." Because the good news to a hungry person is bread.”

And Bishop Tutu preached: 

“This family has no outsiders. Everyone is an insider. When Jesus said, "I, if I am lifted up, will draw..." Did he say, "I will draw some"? "I will draw some, and tough luck for the others"? He said, "I, if I be lifted up, will draw all." All! All! All! – Black, white, yellow; rich, poor; clever, not so clever; beautiful, not so beautiful. All! All! It is radical. All! Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, Bush – all! All! All are to be held in this incredible embrace. Gay, lesbian, so-called "straight;" all! All! All are to be held in the incredible embrace of the love that won’t let us go.”

Frederick Donaldson preached about the “Seven Social Evils”: 

“Politics without principle
Wealth without work.
Pleasure without conscience.
Knowledge without character.
Commerce and industry without morality.
Science without humanity.
Worship without sacrifice.”

Prayer: God of Justice and Mercy, let us not be neutral in the face of oppression. Let us be channels of your restorative justice. Amen.