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Where and how I find God in my life in this troubled world

A leading physician and international humanitarian speaks out

DR KEVIN CAHILL*,

Published Sunday, December 30, 2012, 7:32 AM

Updated Sunday, December 30, 2012, 7:32 AM

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Dr. Kevin Cahill

At The Center for International Humanitarian Cooperation we have recently initiated a project that will try to identify universal values, the common spirituality that seems to exist in all cultures, even during wars. All over the world different civilizations have developed methods — sometimes positive, sometimes negative —to prevent the worst excesses of war. These strands of humanitarian decency must be emphasized, and woven, not only into Geneva Conventions and legal documents, but into some commonly accepted fabric so that we can learn to survive together, not threatened by, but actually celebrating the diversity of, mankind.

It is in this search for universal values, a search that may allow peace to be reborn from the ashes of war, that today I most clearly see “God.” It is into that troubled gray zone of conflicts and reconstruction that I hope “God” will help and guide me in leading a better life of service to those in need.

*As a distinguished doctor of medicine, Dr. Kevin Cahill Cahill began his medical career in 1961, studying tropical disease in the slums of Calcutta beside Mother Theresa.

Cahill has cared for patients in 65 countries in some of the most war-torn places in the world, and was among the first to predict the famine in Somalia.. He treated Pope John Paul after his assassination attempt and also President Ronald Reagan. He is President-General of the American Irish Historical Society

This is an essay in To Bear Witness: A Journey of Healing and Solidarity which will be published by Fordham Univ. Press in 2013.

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Will Hamilton | Jan 04, 2013, 02:06 PM EST

The entire article is covered by the phrase "It's all in your head".

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hermitTalker | Jan 02, 2013, 10:40 AM EST

The Catholic Christian Faith is all about finding Jesus Christ as the God-Man, within ourselves at baptism, nourished in Eucharist, offering His forginessss at MAas we begin it with I confess, and seeking it in the old Irish -Eastern Church practice of being guided by an anam-chara/soul friend in life and when we have heavy stuff to unload. Anyone who critiques a papal infallible document has a short shift- and every teaching from Bible to formal teaching is rooted in God's own Revelation, hence arguing with Him is way above my pay-scale. Rejecting pomposity is a healthy attitude, but one has to be careful not to confuse the personality with the actual Message. 2 Phil 6-11 is a great model for me: jesus reversed the Adam-Eve role of "God, let me do it my way" coached by the Snake; Jesus became obedient and surrendered to the Evil He found in each of us and the systems we use to Control rather than Serve and that is why we follow Him and win and do not get out ass-kicking by playing God over each other.

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barbarisx | Jan 01, 2013, 03:26 PM EST

Cahill runs the AIHS like his own personal fiefdom.

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redhand32 | Jan 01, 2013, 08:11 AM EST

Perhaps we might all (some more than others-see below) benefit from reflecting on the theme "God in one's life in a troubled world" comparing The measured, sage comments of Dr, Cahill with those of Fr. "Blame the rape victims" Corsi, and his :Mu church right or wrong" Catholic Taliban groupies elsewhere on IC this week. Just Sayin' !

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handsome68 | Jan 01, 2013, 12:14 AM EST

I second Searlit's eMotion, and a Happy New Year 2013 to all.

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seanomelb | Dec 31, 2012, 08:14 PM EST

And you to Searlit

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Searlit | Dec 31, 2012, 05:29 PM EST

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!

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eiriamach | Dec 31, 2012, 03:01 PM EST

Faith, reason, and a life spent contributing to progress for humankind: It's a formula for a meaningful life well lived. People who wrestle with faith, who do their own thinking, and who aren't afraid to try to do some good have no time to listen to moral authorities telling them what to believe, how not to live, how to vote, and when to shut up! They also make the world an interesting place for everyone. Happy New Year, everyone -- athbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise daoibh!

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hollabackgurl | Dec 31, 2012, 08:55 AM EST

A portrait of an Irish man who is erudite, compassionate and kind. His good works speak for themselves so it's interesting that he grapples with his faith as he navigates his life. I don't believe in a great deity that's shaping our ends but I don't scoff at those who do. In any case his life has taught him to appreciate the miraculous in the every day, which puts him closer to the Irish poets than the Irish saints. They're better company.

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CaptainCon | Dec 31, 2012, 05:51 AM EST

What is the point of this piece beyond free advertising for a religious cult masquerading as a human interest profile? Will we enjoy some balance with an equal opportunity for the Director of Athiest Ireland?

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Gearoid4 | Dec 30, 2012, 09:12 PM EST

A very erudite and well argued piece by Dr Kevin who seeks the common spiritual values that unites all humanity as one family. This is a very Catholic concept which does not reject what is good in other cultures without comprising Christian principles.

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handsome68 | Dec 30, 2012, 07:13 PM EST

This fella can sure string sentences together, and looks the part of a thinker, as well. Why can't we have him rather than Cardinal Dolan? I wouldn't mind calling Dr. Cahill "Your Eminence", since this one looks like he's thought through a thought or two.

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seanomelb | Dec 30, 2012, 04:48 PM EST

A thoughtful and precise piece mereflow,but I'm afraid you will now be castigated by the God people for your forthrightness.

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merefalow | Dec 30, 2012, 04:21 PM EST

i cant believe in any diety that suposedly we are made in his image,what kind of inteligence creatate a defecating,urinating,menstuating,dribbling creature like man ,obviously not very god like,but if they would accept logic reason,darwin,evolution,and feel the remnants of a prehensile tail between the cheeks of their ass,they might finally realise they are just evolved apes,(but they can never accept that,they have to be something more)and even though in the last 150 years man has honed his destructive nature to higher arts of mass destruction than ever before,this god that you cant see,feel,smell,touch or hear,has remained deaf to the misery and suffering,priests and religions through the ages have held mankind in thrall through fear and superstition,whils at the same time blessing the armies and generals who kill in the name of these gods.enough.i despair that in the face of all this evidence of mayhem mankind still clings to the darkness of false theology.

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Irishphotograph | Dec 30, 2012, 02:48 PM EST

Jesus said that God is Spirit and so you can find God anywhere by inviting Him into your life. Believe in His Son Jesus Christ and the work of the Cross. Surrender your rebellious nature to God in Heaven and then He can instil in you the Holy Spirit.

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