Socialist priest speaks out after death of the Pope Erik Demeester interviewed Remi Verwimp, who is an activist of a special kind. He is in fact a priest who belongs to a group called Christians for Socialism in Belgium inspired by liberation theology and Marxist ideas. As a lecturer at the Theology and Society Workshop (Werkgroep Theologie en Maatschappij) he has developed a critical view on the Catholic Church and especially on the latest pontificate.
The Pope is dead – an obituary for Karol Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II) On April 2, after long sufferings perfectly played out across the media, Karol Wojtyla, also known as the Pope, passed away. The media made an enormous spectacle of his death, allowing thousands to mourn and helping the Catholic Church enter a second spring – even if this may be only for a short period of time.
Pope John Paul II and the cult of personality in Poland Dear Comrades,I’m writing this letter to inform you about the ongoing paranoia in Poland which is related to the death of John Paul II. It is absolutely incredible and probably most of you will find it difficult to believe.
Introduction to Ireland: Republicanism and Revolution He who does not learn from history will forever be doomed to repeat it. It is time to take stock of the past of the Republican movement and to draw a balance sheet. Only by such means can we extricate ourselves from the present impasse, and build the revolutionary movement urgently needed to prevent a further descent into sectarian chaos and achieve instead the historic task of overthrowing capitalism and constructing the 32-county Socialist Republic. This is the introduction to the recently published book Ireland: Republicanism and Revolution, to be ordered from Wellred...
Foreword to Ireland: Republicanism and Revolution The message of this book is that the destiny of Ireland is a Workers’ Republic, a free Republic without landlords, bankers and capitalists. It is a message of hope, of confidence in the future of Ireland, the working class and socialism. It is non-sectarian equally addressed to all thinking people from different backgrounds, but especially to the cadres and the youth of the Republican movement, who have paid a very heavy price for the last thirty years and who are now seeking explanations.
Chirac and Raffarin suffer a crushing defeat in regional elections The right-wing parties suffered an absolutely crushing defeat in the local elections in France. Never, in the entire history of the country, have the capitalist parties been so completely eradicated from elected institutions at any level. As we predicted the victory of the right two years ago was merely preparing an even bigger swing to the left at a later stage. See the original in French: La déroute électorale plonge le gouvernement dans une crise majeure
80,000 demonstrate in Brussels: the French CGT leads the way for a ‘no’ against the capitalist European constitution Last Saturday March 19, in Brussels, three demonstrations were gathered in one huge wave of opposition to the plans of renewed militarism, increased deregulation, the dismantling of the social security system, increased job insecurity and other plans of the European Union. At the front of the demonstration marched the youth, followed by the heavy battalions of the working class and then the social movements.
New book by Alan Woods on Irish Republicanism In April a new book by Alan Woods is being published by Wellred Books. The title of the book is “Ireland: Republicanism and Revolution”. It looks at the history of the Republican movement from a Marxist viewpoint. Gerry Ruddy, Ard-Comhairle member of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, has written a preface to the book, which we provide here. As he says, “Hopefully, it will stimulate debate and analysis. Serious revolutionaries, genuine Marxists, committed Republicans will read this book with thoughtful interest.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Communist fired from University for Political Activities! We have received a letter from a communist activist in Bosnia-Herzegovina who has recently been fired from his job at a private university for his political convictions and activities. He needs your support. Write letters of protest to the university authorities!
Demonstrations all over the world against the imperialist occupation of Iraq From the main squares of US cities to the streets of Istanbul, from London to Sydney, demonstrators came out in support of the Iraqi people and in rejection of the two year long imperialist occupation.
Successful Hands off Venezuela meeting after anti-war demo The London Hands off Venezuela campaign held an excellent meeting at the Walkers of Whitehall pub just off Trafalgar Square after the anti-war demonstration on March 19, 2005. Hands off Venezuela had a stall at the demonstration that attracted a lot of attention, where DVDs, pamphlets and leaflets were distributed on the revolutionary events in Venezuela.
Students occupy UCL premises in protest against the imperialist occupation of Iraq A group of students organised in the UCL Social Forum, UCL Stop the War Society and the UCLSSWS, together with other activists, occupied the University College London on the eve of the national march against the occupation of Iraq.
Workers Unite Yorkshire We are very happy to publish this leaflet that has been distributed in West Yorkshire. The authors of the leaflet are a small but committed group of young Socialists who are based in the area.
The effects of the crisis within the Greek Orthodox Church and the position of the Marxists Further to our previous articles, we publish an Editorial Statement of the Greek Marxist Tendency, Marxistiki Foni, on the meaning of the severe crisis that has shaken the Greek Orthodox Church and how this relates to the future class battles that are being prepared in Greece.
Chechen leader Maskhadov assassinated – but nothing has been solved On March 8th, Aslan Maskhadov was killed. There are currently conflicting reports as to how Russian forces killed the recognised leader of Chechen resistance against the Russian state. His death has been painted as a personal victory for President Putin, who was compelled to admit the weaknesses of the Russian state following the Beslan tragedy. But there is still no end in sight for the war of attrition between Chechen independence fighters and the Russian army.
