At a summit in Malta on December 3, 1989, US President George Bush and Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared an end to the cold war. Gorbachev initiated political and economic reforms in the Soviet Union when he took over leadership with a focus on glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring).
His motivation for seeking peace with the USA was so that he could divert money from defence spending to meeting social needs. In 1990 he was awarded the Nobel peace prize for his role. He was the last leader of the Soviet Union before it dissolved in 1991.
Loving God,
in this Advent season of promise, we give thanks for the part Mikhail Gorbachev played in peacefully ending the cold war.
We ask that leaders of vision and courage will emerge in the troubled areas of our world and help lead to peace in their own places and in the world.
Amen
By Fr Pat O'Shea - Lower Hutt
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