A message of peace

By Michael J.W. Stickings

I've been highly critical of Pope Benedict XVI (not to mention the Roman Catholic Church generally) in the past, but his Easter message managed to strike the right tone, particularly this line:

Nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees.

But it's not all so bleak, the "thousand faces of violence" notwithstanding. Benedict said there are "some signs of hope" in the Middle East, including "the dialogue" between Israel and the Palestinians.

"Peace is sorely needed" -- indeed it is.