Countering Hatred

British police have arrested a suspect in the series of bombings directed against racial minorities and homosexuals in London. It may turn out that the violence was the work of one individual.

But the targeted communities point to racial hatred and bigotry - evils that would impede progress in all societies. Claims of responsibility by an extremist group calling itself the White Wolves, bolster that view.

As we've been reminded all too tragically in recent weeks, even one or two people acting on those motives can destroy lives and sow fear. But the larger community, uniting against terror and violence, can give hate and bigotry less and less room to operate.

As Prime Minister Blair emphasized following the Soho blast that killed three people, "When one section of our community is under attack, we defend them in the name of all the community."

Part of that defense is effective police work. Part of it is a tireless effort to build understanding and communication among the varied ethnic, religious, and cultural communities found in the countries of today's Europe, as well as North America.

That work, rightly motivated, is assured of success. Hatred's violent outbursts call forth the human family's God-given resources of love and healing. And the latter are infinitely more powerful.