It's October and time for the Nobel Prizes to be awarded, including the Peace Prize. This year's winner seems to be a courageous person. Since Pope John Paul, a nominee several years running -- and the subject of speculation this time around -- was passed over again, it's also apparently time for Catholics to whine a little about the slight.
Not me, though. After all, some of the winners make it look like a prize for effort rather than achievement. Jimmy Carter's and Kim Dae Jung's efforts in Korea seem to have sputtered, and John Hume's and David Trimble's brave effort in Northern Ireland limps along inconclusively. Arafat, Peres, and Rabin got the prize in 1994, and Yasir's still calling in his bloodthirsty way for more "martyrs". Kissinger and Le Duc Tho -- well, enough of that.
A few winners have been plainly undeserving: Rigoberta Menchu appears to have won mainly by presenting a phony image that appealed to leftist sympathies.
It's hard to argue that Catholics have been particularly disfavored by the Nobel Institute: Kim's a Catholic; Bp. Belo of East Timor won in '96; I presume John Hume's a Catholic; of course there's Lech Walesa and Blessed Teresa.
Anyway, I figure the prize does more good if it goes to some relatively unknown figure whose efforts will be strengthened by it. The Pope's work for peace isn't going to change one whit. Yes, giving the Pope the prize would be instructive to the world's elites, but I'm not convinced they'd get much benefit from the lesson.
Update: David Brooks weighs in with an NYT op-ed.
Dear Sir,
In fact, the Nobel prize is so tainted by politics and political correctness that it is presently a litmus test for concordance with the Culture of Death. It has come to a point where it would almost be embarassing for a man of the stature of the Holy Father to have to refuse and repudiate such a tainted contrivance.
You are correct, we don't need it, and the cachet it lends to anything it touches reeks of the grave.
shalom,
Steven
I think Ms. Ebadi was an inspired choice, and one which is consistent with the goals of the Pope for greater understanding among people of faith. As described by the Nobel Committee: "Ebadi is a conscious Moslem. She sees no conflict between Islam and fundamental human rights. It is important to her that the dialogue between the different cultures and religions of the world should take as its point of departure their shared values. It is a pleasure for the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the Peace Prize to a woman who is part of the Moslem world, and of whom that world can be proud - along with all who fight for human rights wherever they live." With all of the fear and mistrust in the world today, not just in the Middle East but within our own country, someone such as Ms. Ebadi can be an inspiration to we in the (predominantly Christian) west, as well as in the Arab world.
A small correction: Iranians aren't Arabs, they're Persians. Both groups are quite adamant on the point.
That being said, I also thought the committee's choice was inspired and even courageous. Iran is one of the most repressive regimes of the world, with the blood of many men and women on its hands. The more attention that can be called to their misdeeds, the better.