CNA Columns: Bishops' Corner

The renewal of Europe through the spiritual renewal of families

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Bishop L�szl� B�r�

1. Europe: reality and hope

We all know the reality of today�s Europe. However, as the leader of a Vatican committee said at our ad limina visit to Rome last year, �If we keep talking about the crisis, we are the ones who make it worse.� Instead of complaining, we must speak about hope. The family is Gospel, �good news,� as Pope John Paul II says. We have come together to celebrate the family and to witness to each other that living in a family based on marriage is great and beautiful.

The family is a value. In our age, which denies God and moral values, value is difficult to define � but it is still possible to live out. The vocation of European Christians today is similar to that of the early Church in the background of Hellenistic culture. The Hellenistic culture, just like today�s world, cherished possessive love, while Christians demonstrated unselfish love by being faithful in their marriage and taking care of the elderly. Through this, Christianity became a significant factor in society within 300 years. The thinking that ridicules marriage will not survive, but those who live in unselfish love will. This is our hope, despite today�s reality: that unselfish love is stronger than possessive love!

Cardinal Antonelli said at the Mexico Family Congress in 2008, �For us the family is not a dream but a reality.� The media often considers Christians as people chasing dreams. But Christian families do exist! There are problems, but the idea of Christian marriage and family is not just a dream but a reality to be announced. (Read more)

Called by the Lord

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Bishop Raymundo J. Pe�a

In Jeremiah l:4-10, l7-19, the prophet describes the call he received from the Lord in these words: "The word of the Lord came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. "Ah, Lord God!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." But the Lord answered me, Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord. This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms... but do you gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you. They will fight against you, but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord."

Like Jeremiah, everyone receives a call from the Lord, who sends us on a unique mission which he gives to no other person. The call of the Lord is my focus this week.

Each of us has daily routines and responsibilities. But looking at our life as a whole, we have deeper dreams for ourselves, greater hopes for the world, and a higher calling from God. Our life is greater than the sum total of our daily tasks, and we are more than the sum total of what others think of us or see in us. (Read more)

Visitations of women�s religious shouldn�t be seen as negative judgment

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Archbishop Roger Schwietz

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege of participating in the seminary visitation which took place, under the auspices of the Holy See, over the course of more than a year. I participated in teams that visited two different seminaries over the course of the year. Many other bishops also participated in these teams since every seminary in the country was visited.

After the visitations, each team sent a report to the Holy See, and their work was completed. Later the seminary and its bishops or religious superiors received confidential feedback from the office of the Holy See, which initiated the visitation. Prior to the visitation I was not sure what to expect but, as it turned out, the experience was very positive for me and, I think, for the other bishops who participated and for the seminaries, as well.

I found the visits to be opportunities to create relationships and to affirm seminary staffs and seminarians. I was impressed by the dedication of the personnel and the quality of the seminarians. I am sure the reports also helped the pope�s collaborators in Rome to understand better our situation in this country. (Read more)

Still time to reform health care the right way

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Bishop William L. Higi

As I write, there are two proposed bills in the Senate and three in the House of Representatives. In spite of reassurances from the president and various members of Congress, the Catholic perspective apparently has fallen on deaf ears. The bottom line is that bishops (and hopefully those open to the position of the Church) will have to oppose a final health care bill if it fails to address key concerns. There are three of them:

� Policies against abortion funding and in support of conscience rights must be in the bill;

� Health care should be affordable and available to the poor and vulnerable; and (Read more)

Hispanic Ministry

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi

It is obvious, even to the most causal observer, that the number of Hispanic Catholics in our country is increasing dramatically. Alabama is no exception to this national trend. It is estimated by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University that most Catholics in the U.S. under the age of 20 are Hispanic. As the number of Hispanic Catholics increases, our parishes must attend to the pastoral needs of all Catholics including those who are Hispanic.

This is nothing new for the Catholic Church in the United States. Throughout our American Catholic history, the Catholic Church has sought to meet the spiritual and physical needs of all the members of the Church, regardless of background.

Often this has been a challenge for the Church, especially during those times when some ethnic groups were met with hostility. In the middle of the 19th century, for example, there was bitter resentment in our country towards the Irish Catholics. A new political movement formed named the Know-Nothings. This group became very influential in many parts of our country, both North and South. In their opposition to the Irish, they threatened the Catholic Church with bitter opposition and threats of violence. The Know- Nothings rose to power even in Mobile where their brief period of control is a dark chapter in Alabama history. (Read more)

The changing profile of American seminarians

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Bishop George Thomas

In April 2009, the Center for Applied Research (CARA) at Georgetown University published an important study titled �The Class of 2009: A Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood.�

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops commissioned the study to provide diocesan bishops, vocation directors, seminary faculty, parish priests and parishioners with information and insights into the changing profile of the American seminarian.

A number of facts emerged in the study that will help our own diocese better support vocational discernment in creative and systematic ways. (Read more)

More info on the Year for Priests

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Bishop William L. Higi

I�ve noted that parish bulletins are making reference to the special Year for Priests inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI on June 19 with a grand celebration held in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. You may recall my column in the June 14 issue of The Catholic Moment was dedicated to this papal initiative. I indicated that a committee under the chairmanship of Father Brian Dudzinski, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Fishers, would be formed to plan diocesan events during the Year for Priests. That committee is now in place. It is composed of Father Don Gross, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Fowler and St. Mary Parish in Dunnington; Father Dennis O�Keeffe, pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Zionsville; Father Josh Janko, associate at St. Alphonsus; Father Jeff Martin, associate at All Saints Parish, Logansport; and Father Don Eder, one of our senior priests.

The committee has chosen as the theme for our celebration "The Priesthood is the Fidelity and Love of the Heart of Jesus." This theme draws on the reflections of St. John Vianney, who coined the phrase "the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus." St. John Vianney is the patron of all priests. The Holy Father has proclaimed this special year to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of John Vianney, who is considered the model and protector of priests.

In issuing this call, the pope has explained that he wants to emphasize the faithfulness of Christ and the faithfulness of priests. Christ was faithful to the Father. All priests should strive to be faithful in their priesthood to the mission of Christ and the Church. The hope is that this special focus on priesthood will help all of us, priests and laity alike, discover anew the beauty and importance of the priesthood and of each priest. If at the end there has been a deepening of the spiritual-theological understanding of the priesthood and its pastoral mission and if priests renew the consciousness of their own identity, it will be successful. The Holy Father urges priests to become completely enthralled by Christ. (Read more)

Parental involvement supports a culture of life

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Archbishop Roger Schwietz

Many Alaskans are not aware that in our state a young woman less than 18 years of age can obtain an abortion without the knowledge of her parents. They must have permission to go on a field trip or obtain an aspirin from the school nurse; however, current law does not require any parental involvement or even notification before a minor undergoes an abortion.

How did we get to this sad state of affairs? In 1997, the Alaska Legislature passed a law that required the consent of at least one parent before a doctor could perform an abortion on a girl under 17 years of age. However this law was immediately blocked from being enforced by a state judge. Ten years later, the justices of the Alaska Supreme Court, by a narrow 3 to 2 vote, agreed with the lower court�s decision and declared the parental consent law to be unconstitutional.

Fortunately, there is an effort underway that will at least partially remedy this situation. (Read more)

Health care reform

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Archbishop Henry J. Mansell

For many months, in fact, for many years, our country has been focused on the need for national health care reform legislation. In the heat of the current debate, the attention at times seems to be directed more to payment reform than to health reform. In every instance, fundamental issues are at stake.

The needs are acute, and the matters are complicated. Thousands of pages and various bills have been written for health care legislation. Still, there is much confusion and misinformation. There is a clear need for clarification on principles and policies relating to health care.

The Catholic Church has a strong history in health care. We provide a significant percentage of the health care services offered in the United States. We have a long, consistent, and distinguished tradition of teaching on ethics of health care. We purchase health care and we regularly provide safety nets for people who would otherwise fall through the cracks of inadequate and broken health care systems. (Read more)

Moral Issues and the Health Care Debate

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0500

By Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi

Our country is currently engaged in a national debate regarding the manner in which the people in this country will have access to health care. This is a very complicated issue. The ongoing debate has shown the complexity of health care policies and the fact that people of good will can and will have varying opinions as all attempt to foster the best possible health care policies for the good of our country.

While these public policy issues are debated, it is essential that the moral issues are clearly stated so that the health care policies adopted by our political leaders will be for the common good. Among these issues are the following:

Health care needs to be available for all. The rapid and remarkable development of health care has resulted in our country enjoying an unprecedented high standard of care. This care must be available for all and not for only a segment of society. The Lord has taught us that on the last day, when we stand before God, one of the questions God will ask us is whether, "When I was sick did you comfort me?" (Matthew 25:36) Our health care must be as broadly available as possible and not be limited only to those able to afford it. (Read more)