Inside
NCR
Paul Jeffrey has a passionate regard
for people who, through war and other awful circumstances, find themselves on
the margins. Thats why he was in Pakistan recently, visiting Afghan
refugee camps. Thats why he can often be found in cultures that are in
varying degrees of upheaval and disarray.
Often he reports on what the evening news has no time for, but
its usually the most important part of the story. For instance, long
before others, Jeffrey was following the work of the late Bishop Juan Gerardi
Conedera and the Catholic churchs Memory Project in Guatemala. He was
on-site to report the protests of U.S. bombing practice on the island of
Vieques and in remote Colombia to chronicle the Uwa Indians dispute
with Occidental Petroleum. In his report in this issue (Page 12), he weaves a
compelling tale of life in the refugee camps with the refugees concerns
about the future of Afghanistan.
We treasure his reporting and his courage. I would be remiss if I
didnt also confess that one of the delights of working with him, all
high-minded idealism aside, is the wonderful wit that often surfaces in
exchanges with an exasperating editor. So, from a recent missive over some
niggling detail: I just want to write stories, take pictures, and survive
the relentless lentils. Wouldnt that make a great name for a rock band?
Relentless Lentils.
Come home soon, Paul.
The world of religion journalism
will lose one of its best when Managing Editor Pamela Schaeffer changes careers
at the beginning of the New Year.
NCR will certainly miss her uncompromising standards and
her willingness to challenge everything from story ideas to the proper tone of
a subhead in the middle of a story. Her commitment to clarity, accuracy and
good writing some would say borders on the fanatical. But its good
fanaticism, and NCR has been the beneficiary.
In her five years here, she has contributed not only distinguished
writing on a host of issues, but has overseen the editing of some of the most
demanding projects, including the award-winning investigative report on
Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua and the Philadelphia archdiocese and, more
recently, the reports of sexual abuse of nuns by priests. See more about her
future plans in her Perspective piece on Page 24.
Finally, I make a simple request for
help.
NCR is in the midst of its annual Christmas campaign for
new subscribers.
The strong outpouring of reaction in recent weeks made it clear
that NCR offers many of you a view of church and world -- a mixture of
reporting and opinion -- that is simply not available elsewhere. Many of you
have expressed your appreciation in countless generous ways over the years.
If NCR is a significant part of your life, help us maintain
our commitment to top-flight journalism by giving a gift subscription to that
someone you know who could get excited over a grownup, intelligent discussion
of faith and culture. Thanks for your help and support.
-- Tom Roberts
My e-mail address is troberts@natcath.org
National Catholic Reporter, December 14,
2001
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