This morning, on the Feast of St. Joseph, the seminary community welcomed the fifth rector of St. John Vianney College Seminary, Bishop Robert N. Lynch, Bishop of St. Petersburg. It has been a very difficult past eight months for Bishop Lynch who has undergone numerous surgeries and experienced many complications with his recovery. While the bishop has lost quite a bit of weight, he is finally beginning to return to full ministry. I might add that he really does look great!!!

During this morning’s Mass, Bishop Lynch spoke to the seminarians, reminding us to follow the example of St. Joseph. On this, the feast of the foster father of Jesus, Bishop Lynch told us to live by Joseph’s example, giving us three points to focus on. The first point was to have a fidelity to faith, to be willing to listen to the voice of the Lord and have faith that he will protect, guide, and strengthen us. Secondly, we should all have the courage to take risks–the bishop reminded us that Joseph had to take the risk to take Mary and Jesus into Egypt to protect them from Herod. Finally, we should all have humility to put others before ourselves, not simply seeking what is best for ourselves but, rather, for the good of all.

Please continue to pray for Bishop Lynch as he continues his recovery. Please also remember to pray for Bishop John Ricard (Pensacola-Tallahassee) who is recovering from a December stroke.

Happy Feast of St. Joseph to all of you!! May the words of Pius IX be a reminder to all of us of Joseph’s mission: “All for Jesus, all for Mary, all to imitate thee, O patriarch St. Joseph!”

PHOTO SOURCE: For His Friends: Thoughts and Reflections by Bishop Robert Lynch

Over the last several days, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have been reminding the Catholic faithful, Congress, and the American people of the position of the Catholic Church on the most crucial debate of health care reform. Many bishops throughout the United States have been issuing statements of disapproval of the current health care bill. Bishop Thomas Wenski, Bishop of Orlando, is the latest bishop to voice his opposition to the bill. (emphasis mine)

The 40 days of Lent which evokes the time that Jesus spent fasting in the desert is a time of conversion and reconciliation. Yet, even as we have passed the mid-point in our Lenten observances, the word “reconciliation” has taken on a new and infelicitous connotation in our secular world. Reconciliation as a “legislative process intended to allow consideration of a contentious budget bill without the threat of a filibuster” seems now to be the preferred tactic of the Democratic leadership in Congress to secure passage of what has come to be known as Obamacare. While such reconciliation might bring together the House and Senate health care reform proposals, it will not bring together the nation – for, however, the two bills may be reconciled, serious flaws remain.

Almost everyone regardless of political ideology agrees that there is a need to fix “health care” in our nation: our present system serves too few people and at too high a cost. The U.S. Bishops have consistently advocated for health care reform for more than 40 years. We believe that health care is a basic human right – and we continue to support adequate and affordable health care for all. Health care coverage should not be denied to those in need because of their condition, age, where they come from or when they arrive here.

Early this evening, Cardinal Francis George, Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released the following statement regarding the current health care reform bill up for consideration by the Congress of the United States (COTUS). The bill, in its current language, does not address the issues raised by the Bishops over the last several months. (Emphasis mine)

The Catholic Bishops of the United States have long and consistently advocated for the reform of the American health care system. Their experience in health care and in Catholic parishes has acquainted them with the anguish of mothers who are unable to afford prenatal care, of families unable to ensure quality care for their children, and of those who cannot obtain insurance because of preexisting conditions.

Throughout the discussion on health care over the last year, the bishops have advocated a bipartisan approach to solving our national health care needs. They have urged that all who are sick, injured or in need receive necessary and appropriate medical assistance, and that no one be deliberately killed through an expansion of federal funding of abortion itself or of insurance plans that cover abortion. These are the provisions of the long standing Hyde amendment, passed annually in every federal bill appropriating funds for health care; and surveys show that this legislation reflects the will of the majority of our fellow citizens. The American people and the Catholic bishops have been promised that, in any final bill, no federal funds would be used for abortion and that the legal status quo would be respected.

Another Vocations Awareness Weekend has come and gone and this time around the bar was definitely raised by the guests. Out of the 70 young men who attended the weekend, all of them gave their hearts to really consider the discernment of the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

On Friday evening, the guests arrived to the seminary. At about 11:00 p.m. we all gathered in the main chapel for a welcoming/blessing ceremony with a modified version of Night Prayer. Saturday was packed with all kinds of different activities. On Saturday morning, the guests watched a very…interesting movie created by the Dean of Students/Vice Rector of the seminary. Following the movie presentation, the guests listened to several seminarians describe the four pillars of formation as prescribed by the Program of Priestly Formation (PPF). The seminarians added a personal touch to the pillars to make them more real for the guests.

On Saturday evening, several seminarians were asked to lead small group sessions where the guests could ask any questions about seminary life, the process of discernment in our own lives, etc. During the small group sessions, I experienced the willingness of these young men to open their hearts. Compared to the last VAW in November, the conversation that took place in these small groups was much deeper and more geared towards discernment.

The following is a statement from the Vatican Press Office regarding the recent new of clergy sexual abuses that have come to light over the last few days in Europe.

Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. today issued a note entitled “A clear route through stormy waters”.

At the end of a week in which a large part of the attention of the European media has been focused on the question of sexual abuses committed by people in institutions of the Catholic Church, we would like to make three observations:

Firstly, the line being taken by the German Episcopal Conference has shown itself to be the right way to face the problem i its various aspects. The declarations of the president of that conference, Archbishop Zollitsch, following his meeting with the Holy Father, recap the strategy laid down i the conference’s recent assembly and reiterate its essential operational aspects: recognition of the truth and help for victims reinforcement o preventative measures and constructive collaboration with the authorities (including the judicial authorities of State) for the common good of society. Archbishop Zollitsch also unequivocally reiterated the opinion of experts according to whom the question of celibacy should in no way be confused with that of paedophilia. The Holy Father has encouraged the line being followed by the German bishops which – even taking account of the specific context of their own county – may be considered as a useful andinspiring model for other episcopal conferences that find themselves facing similar problems.