We had all but completed this October 2001 Woodstock Report on an issue that seemed very important, but then came Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That radically changed our minds about what was important, just as it radically changed our history, our lives, and our future.

By mission and mandate Woodstock was founded to do "theological reflection on the human problems of today," in the words of our late beloved General Superior Father Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Clearly this Report has to address this new "human problem of today."

But what is the problem? We see the destruction, and we know and are devastated by the loss of life, of loved ones in many instances. We have learned who hijacked the planes, and something of their planning, their preparations, and their personal backgrounds. We are engaged in a military, diplomatic, and humanitarian response.

But what is "the problem" and how could "theological reflection" be a helpful way to discover and address it? We have invited three people to share with us their theological reflections on the current situation: Dr. Maysam al Faruqi, Father Brian O. McDermott, S.J., and Father Drew Christiansen, S.J.

Dr. al Faruqi is a Muslim theologian in the theology department of Georgetown University. An American citizen, she will reflect from her perspective as a Palestinian Arab. Father McDermott is an American Catholic theologian. Father Christiansen is a Christian social ethicist and will propose some texts as a framework for theological reflection.

This Report doesn't give answers to "the problem of today." It may not even pinpoint the problem accurately. What the Report does is issue an invitation to you to engage in your own theological reflection and it offers you these three illustrations of how it might go.

At this point in history, as at no other I've known, theological reflection is indispensable. Why? Because the war we are fighting now is not about wealth, territory, or even prestige - all the stuff of past wars and conquests.

Today we're fighting about the deepest values that undergird one's understanding of what's good for human beings, and what's bad. It is a "culture war" at the deepest level. And the trend seems toward physical destruction of "the others" who represent values antithetical to one's own.

The convictions and beliefs at the core of these clashing cultures are so deep and are held so passionately that they have to be called "theological." And that's why reflection on this violent impasse must be "theological reflection." Religious people and religious communities have a special responsibility to foster this reflection and to facilitate inner-group and inter-group dialogue about the roots of difference and disagreement, hatred and hostility. It is the only way to understanding and peace. Is it overly dramatic to say civilization might depend on it?

Thanks to our benefactors. We are delighted, once again, to honor them by listing them in this issue of the Woodstock Report. Our deep gratitude goes out to them.