Fidelity and constancy in difficult times |
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Written by Bishop Leonard P. Blair
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Friday, 05 December 2008 01:00 |
On Nov. 13, during the annual fall meeting of the U.S. bishops, the church celebrated the feast of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen to be declared a saint (she died in 1917 and was canonized in 1946).
This intrepid sister, an immigrant from Italy, was responsible for tremendous works of charity to immigrants, the sick, the poor and the uneducated in our country and abroad. Having faced many obstacles in life, she once wrote: "Everyone can be serene when things run smoothly; it is in difficult situations that fidelity and constancy are proven."
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| Bishop Leonard P. Blair |
This was on my mind during our bishops’ meeting because both our country and our church are currently facing "difficult situations."
On the one hand, there is the threat to our nation’s material well-being as a result of the current economic crisis and the actual or possible loss of jobs, health care benefits, homes and retirement savings. On the other hand, there is the moral threat of a potential extreme turn to abortion in our country.
These issues were addressed at our bishops’ meeting, and I would like to say something about both from the perspective of Mother Cabrini’s words on the ìfidelity and constancyî that are required of us in difficult times as followers of Jesus Christ.
First, there is economic hardship.
With the endorsement of all the bishops, our Conference President Cardinal George of Chicago said: "This ... situation brings home a universal truth: we are all children of God. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We all are in this together. Hard times can isolate us or they can bring us together. The Catholic community will continue to reach out to those in need, stand with those who are hurt, and work for policies that bring greater compassion, accountability and justice to economic life."
For many years now, people of faith have lamented the crass materialism and commercialization of Christmas. It is true that consumer spending at Christmas gives an important boost to the economy. However, this year, more than ever, it is important that each of us also be as generous as possible in support of those who are hurting as a result of economic turmoil.
I challenge myself and all of you, at the very least, to match what we spend on Christmas presents with a gift to the needy, directly or to food pantries, parish and diocesan charities, and groups like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Not only are many savings accounts and food banks being depleted, but the spirits of many people are anxious and discouraged. All the more should we reach out on a personal level by our thoughtfulness and prayer for one another at Christmas. No one welcomes economic distress, but if it should deepen, may it bring us closer together and not increase the isolation that is already so much a part of modern life.
The second "difficult situation" of grave concern is the potential threat of legislation proposed in Washington by abortion rights groups and their allies in Congress.
In the words of Cardinal George: "In the last Congress, a Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) was introduced that would, if brought forward in the same form today, outlaw any ‘interference’ in providing abortion at will ... It would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government and others of good will to reduce the number of abortions in our country ... [and] would have lethal consequences for prenatal human life.
"FOCA would deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry.
"It would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars.
"Parental notification and informed consent precautions would be outlawed, as would be laws banning procedures such as partial-birth abortion and protecting infants born alive after a failed abortion.
"Abortion clinics would be deregulated. The Hyde Amendment restricting the federal funding of abortions would be abrogated.
"FOCA would have an equally destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children. It would threaten Catholic health care institutions and Catholic Charities."
Cardinal George’s statement assures President-elect Obama of the bishops’ prayers for him, and of our desire to work with him and the new Congress for the common good of our nation. However, the national unity that Mr. Obama seeks cannot possibly be achieved by "aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders" that would "permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion."
Christmas is a season of many profound lessons. God is to be found in the material poverty of a cold stable, in the helplessness of an infant carried lovingly by his mother for nine months in her womb, in the "fidelity and constancy" of those who are not deterred by evil even in difficult situations. So let us work and pray for what is good, with charity in our hearts for all, especially those who are hurting and those who are the most vulnerable.
A joyful and blessed Christmas to all.
+Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair
Bishop of Toledo
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Last Updated on Friday, 06 February 2009 09:37 |
