It has been explained to me since
That the condemnation was indeed voiced
But that it was in the style of the encyclicals
Which is not at all clear
The condemnation was voiced
And it was not understood
Who could fail to feel where the true condemnation lies in this case
And to see that this example by itself gives part of the reply
Perhaps the whole reply
That you ask of me
What the world expects of Christians
Is that Christians should speak out
Loud and clear
And that they should voice their condemnation
In such a way
That never a doubt
Never the slightest doubt
Could arise in the heart of the simplest man or woman
That they should get away from abstraction
And confront the blood-stained face history has taken on today
The grouping we need is a grouping of men and women
Resoled to speak out clearly and to pay up personally
–adapted from Albert Camus, Resistance, Rebellion, and Death
