In July 2011, in the midst of the visitation, Irish officials released the 400-page Cloyne Report, detailing the findings to the investigation into the handling of abuse cases by the Diocese of Cloyne. According to the report, the commission “examined all complaints, allegations, concerns and suspicions of child sexual abuse by relevant clerics made to the diocesan and other Catholic Church authorities and public and State authorities.” Furthermore, the commission did not seek to determine whether abuse actually occured, but to reveiw how well the Irish church investigated claims againsts priests and ministers. Among the major findings of the report was that two-thirds of the allegations made since 1996 were not reported to the police, which after the revelations of abuse throughout the world in recent years is completely unacceptable.

After the publication of the Cloyne Report, some within the Irish government began publicly criticizing the Holy See, indicating it was a dysfunctional organization that downplayed the sexual abuse crises within Ireland. Following these criticisms by Irish officials, Father Federico Lombardi, spokesman for the Vatican, speaking in a personal capacity, stated that the criticism of the Holy See was unfounded. The report, which according to Lombardi did not supply any evidence indicating a cover-up of any kind by the Vatican, provides a “new step in the long and arduous walk to find the truth.”

Many believe the sexual abuse crisis within Ireland has created tension between the country and the Vatican. Throughout this year, those tensions have been evident. While it has not been connected in any way to the revelations of the Cloyne Report, the government of Ireland recently decided to close its embassy to the Vatican. Reportedly, the move comes as a cost-saving measure for the government; however, that has not stopped the speculation about it being the most visible sign of tensions between the two nations.

In addition to these ‘tensions,’ over the next few years, the Pope will be tasked with restructuring the hierarchy within the Irish Church. At last count, four dioceses have no bishop at the healm, three bishops are serving past the age limit, and an additional two bishops will reach the retirement age in the coming year and a half. To assist in this endeavor, Pope Benedict XVI recently appointed Monsignor Charles Brown, 52, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, as the Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit guide the Holy Father in this endeavor and that a new springtime may arise for the Irish church.

4. Religious Liberty Issues in the United States

Over the last few months, issues of religious liberty have been receiving more attention from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as a result of the passage of gay marriage initiatives within many states and the removal of conscience protections within the health care reform law. In September, Archbishop Timothy Dolan (New York), president of the USCCB, wrote a letter to his brother bishops announcing the formation of a new ad hoc committee focused on dealing with issues associated with religious liberties. In the context of that letter, Dolan noted the recent uptick in assaults on the basic right of all individuals for religious freedom:

This basic right, in its many and varied applications for Christians and people of faith, is now increasingly and in unprecedented ways under assault in America. This is most particularly so in an increasing number of federal government programs or policies that would infringe upon the right of conscience of people of faith or otherwise harm the foundational principle of religious liberty.

Dolan also listed several threats that have emerged towards religious liberty, including: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate ordering the inclusion of contraceptive and sterilization in private health insurance plans, the HHS requirement for the U.S. bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services to provide reproductive services to victims of trafficking, the continuing denial of support for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) by the executive branch, and the limited exemptions for religious institutions in newly passed laws allowing gay marriages in some states.

During the USCCB’s November meeting this year, Bishop William Lori (Bridgeport), chairman of the new Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty gave a presentation to the entire conference in which he said the government was treating the church “not as a contributor to our nation’s common morality” but as an instrument of divisiveness that should be kept out of public life. He furthermore called on all bishops to defend religious liberty in all that they do–teaching the faithful within their dioceses about the limitations being placed on religious institutions and standing up for the many injustices toward religious freedom occuring throughout the country.

3. New Translation of the Roman Missal

In parishes and diocese throughout the country, individuals, both lay people and clergy, have reported no major issues with the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal. For those communities that began utilizing parts of the new missal before the First Sunday of Advent, the big day was largely insignificant. If your parish did not start using the new parts early, more power to you because you were basically thrown into the new missal with little or no preparation. Hopefully though, the parishes and the dioceses offered some kind of catechesis for the laity and ministers throughout the country so that the people in the pews did not walk into the weekend of implementation blindly.

Personally speaking, my parish began using the new music settings about two months before we were obligated to implement the new translation. At first it was a bit difficult for the people to learn the parts. But, we did not introduce all the music settings at once, we staggered them from weekend to weekend which seemed to help the congregation in the learning process. When the First Sunday of Advent finally came upon us, there was only one person in my parish who was unhappy about the changes; after the first “And with your spirit” an older gentleman in the congregation said rather loudly, “Why do they have to change things?” However, that sentiment was not seconded, at least publicly, by too many people in the parish.

Wherever you and your parish are at in terms of the new translation, we are still in this together. Hopefully we are moving right along with the creed, especially with that ‘consubstantial’ word. There are some great resources out there for those of us who are still needing a little assistance–I admit, I still need some help. More reviews will be coming in the next few days.

2. Beatification of John Paul II

On May 1st, the Feast of the Divine Mercy, a feast day implemented by Pope John Paul II, the late pontiff was beatified in St. Peter’s Square by Benedict XVI. In the most joyous celebration of 2011 for the Catholic Church, an estimated 1.5 million people came to the Eternal City to witness the beatification of our beloved John Paul.

Throughout his priesthood and, even moreso when he was elected to the papacy in October 1978 following the death of John Paul I, the 263rd successor of St. Peter relied on these personal convictions to lead the church. During the vigil of prayer prior to the beatification, Cardinal Agostino Vallini stated:

He was witness to the tragic age of big ideologies, totalitarian regimes, and from their passing John Paul II embraced the harsh suffering, marked by tension and contradictions, of the transition of the modern age toward a new phase of history, showing constant concern that the human person be its protagonist. He was a staunch and credible defender of the human person to the nations and the international institutions, which respected him and have paid him homage, recognizing him as a messenger of justice and peace.

With his gaze fixed on Christ, the Redeemer of humanity, he believed in humanity and showed his openness, trust, and closeness. He loved the human person, pushing us to develop in ourselves the potential of faith to live as free persons, cooperating in the realization of a more just and caring humanity, as workers for peace and builders of hope. Convinced that only the spiritual experience can satisfy humanity he said: the fate of every person and of all peoples is tied to Christ, the only liberator and Savior.

Pope John Paul II taught us all how to live truly Catholic Christian lives. He taught us that being a Christian is not without its challenges and struggles. Through his battle with Parkinson’s Disease, the late pontiff showed us how to embrace the crosses that present themselves throughout life and to continually give praise to God.

Blessed John Paul, we miss you dearly and know that you continue to pray for the Church that you served with all of your strength and loved with all of your heart. Pray for us, that we may come to recognize, appreciate and defend the dignity of every human person; that we may love the church and devote our lives to her; that we may follow your example of humility in all that we do. Finally, pray for those who have not come to know Christ, that they may embrace God’s love for them and come to call Jesus their Savior.

This afternoon, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released its report on the causes of the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests from 1950 through 2010. The study was conducted by the John Jay College Research Team at the request of a National Review Board, which was implemented by the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The report, some 152 pages in length, is “the second of two studies produced by researchers at John Jay College of Criminal Justice about sexual abuse by Catholic priests.” The first report, the Nature and Scope study, was issued in February 2004 and focused on the extent of the cases involving the abuse of minors by priests.

This most recent study has determined the following:

• There is no single “cause” of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests. However, the report recognizes that there were significant social and cultural changes in the 1960s and 1970s that resulted in greater levels of deviant behavior throughout society, including among Catholic priests.
• The vast majority of abuse cases occurred in the 1960s and 1970s with a noticeable decline beginning in late 1980s, which continued thru the 1990s to the present day.
• Many individuals who would later abuse minors as priests attended major free-standing seminaries; however, there is no direct correlation between the occurrence of abuse and the type of seminaries the individuals attended.
• There is no significant empirical evidence to suggest that certain personality traits were linked to the abuse of minors.
• Most of the priests who had been accused of sexual abuse are not pedophiles.
• No evidence supports the claim that celibacy has played a significant role in the abuse of minors.
• There is no evidence to support the claim that homosexuality is the cause of child sexual abuse by priests.
• Situational factors and the opportunity to abuse played a considerable role in the onset and continuation of sexual abuse of minors.
• In the mid-1990s, the Church established Five Principles to guide diocesan response to reports of sexual abuse. However, in many dioceses, the implementation of these Five Principles was rather inadequate.
• In the past, the response of diocesan officials to an allegation of abuse was to focus on the priest-abuser. However, as more cases have come to light in the past couple of decades, the Catholic Church has undergone significant organizational change in an effort to promote increased transparency and accountability.

Most of the information above was gathered via the USCCB Live feed on Twitter.

As the release of this report has been publicized in many media outlets over the last few days, many have already expressed their criticisms of the bishops’ findings. However, as Archbishop Dolan has remarked in a statement on the release of the study, the findings of this report are not from the USCCB; rather, the findings are a report to the US episcopal conference.

It must be clearly understood that this report, in no way, is attempting to make excuses for the instances of sexual abuse by Catholic priests. Furthermore, the report does not take responsibility away from bishops and local dioceses for failing to confront the problem of sexual abuse by priests. The report is simply an effort to help the Church understand the reasons for the abuse. In the end, the Causes and Context study will allow the Catholic Church to continue to adapt formation programs in an effort to ensure that the future occurrence of sexual abuse by priests will be eradicated.

Please click here to view the report in its entirety [PDF].

Source: USCCB | The above document is the official release from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and was used with permission.

USCCB November 2009 Meeting

Back in September, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released the names of American prelates who had been selected as nominees for various leadership positions within the conference. This week, the nominees for the conference president and vice-president were released.

According to the USCCB statement, the “new president will succeed Cardinal Francis George, OMI, of Chicago, who completes his three-year term at the meeting. His successor assumes the presidency at the end of the meeting.” Below are the names of those candidates (in alphabetical order by last name):

• Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans
• Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California
• Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM, Cap., of Denver
• Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York
• Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona (currently Vice-President of the USCCB)
• Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky
• Bishop George Murry, SJ, of Youngstown, Ohio
• Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien of Baltimore
• Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit
• Bishop John C. Wester of Salt Lake City

According to conference by-laws, “the election the president will take place first from among the list of 10 candidates,” followed by the election of the  vice-president, who is “elected from the remaining nine candidates.” If a nominee does not secure more than 50 percent of the vote, the conference will take a second vote. In the case of a third vote, only two nominees will appear on the ballot.

In the end, it is expected that Bishop Gerald Kicanas will be elected to the presidency, as is the historical trend. So, all the attention will be on who is selected as the next Vice-President. We’ll have to wait and see. Stay close!

Source: USCCB | http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-194.shtml

Supporters of SB1070 attend a rally at the Arizona Capitol | Source: AP

Over the last several weeks, the new Arizona immigration law has been making news across the country. There are those that completely agree with the new law and those that completely disagree with the new law. Immigration reform is such an important issue to the people of the United States and an important concern for the Catholic Church. It seems there hasn’t been too much said about this latest controversy by many mainstream Catholic bloggers. That needs to change; so, let’s take a look at the facts and the stance of the Church on this important concern of ours, shall we.

Before we get started, let’s examine what the Center for Immigration Studies says about immigration in Arizona. The center released the following information on the current situation in Arizona:

• The federal government estimated that Arizona had one of the fastest growing illegal immigrant populations in the country, increasing from 330,000 in 2000 to 560,000 by 2008.
• The federal government estimated that Arizona had one of the fastest growing illegal immigrant populations in the country, increasing from 330,000 in 2000 to 560,000 by 2008.
• Arizona has adopted other laws to deter the settlement of illegal immigrants in the state in recent years. The federal government estimates that the illegal immigrant population dropped by 18 percent in the state from 2008 to 2009, compared to a 7 percent drop for the nation as a whole. This may be evidence that the state enforcement efforts are having an impact.
• The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has found that 22 percent of felonies in the county are committed by illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants are estimated to be 10 percent of the county’s adult population.
• Analysis of data from State Criminal Alien Assistance Program showed that illegal immigrants were 11 percent of the state’s prison population. Illegal immigrants were estimated to be 8 percent of state’s adult population at the time of the analysis.
• Approximately 17 percent of those arrested by the Border Patrol in its Tucson Sector have criminal records in the United States.
• The issue of illegal immigration and crime is very difficult to measure, and while in Arizona there is evidence that illegal immigrants are committing a disproportionate share of crime, it is not clear this is the case nationally.
• In 2007, the Center for Immigration Studies estimated that 12 percent of workers in Arizona are illegal immigrants.
• In 2007, the Center estimated that illegal immigrants and their U.S.-born children (under 18) comprise one-fifth of those in the state living in poverty, one-third of those without health insurance, and one out of six students in the state’s schools.
• In 2007, the Center estimated that one-third of households headed by illegal immigrants in Arizona used at least one major welfare program, primarily food-assistance programs or Medicaid. Benefits were typically received on behalf of U.S.-born children.
• The new law (SB 1070) is extremely popular among Arizona voters. A Rasmussen poll found that 70 percent of voters approve of the new bill, and just 23 percent oppose it.

The center also released the following information on the actual bill:

• The new Arizona law mirrors federal law, which already requires aliens (non-citizens) to register and carry their documents with them (8 USC 1304(e) and 8 USC 1306(a)). The new Arizona law simply states that violating federal immigration law is now a state crime as well. Because illegal immigrants are by definition in violation of federal immigration laws, they can now be arrested by local law enforcement in Arizona.
• The law is designed to avoid the legal pitfall of “pre-emption,” which means a state can’t adopt laws that conflict with federal laws. By making what is a federal violation also a state violation, the Arizona law avoids this problem.
• The law only allows police to ask about immigration status in the normal course of “lawful contact” with a person, such as a traffic stop or if they have committed a crime.
• Estimates from the federal government indicate that more than 80 percent of illegal immigrants come from Latin America. Thus, there is concern that police may target only Hispanics for enforcement.
• Before asking a person about immigration status, law enforcement officials are required by the law to have “reasonable suspicion” that a person is an illegal immigrant. The concept of “reasonable suspicion” is well established by court rulings. Since Arizona does not issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, having a valid license creates a presumption of legal status. Examples of reasonable suspicion include:
  • A driver stopped for a traffic violation has no license, or record of a driver’s license or other form of federal or state identification.
  • A police officer observes someone buying fraudulent identity documents or crossing the border illegally.
  • A police officer recognizes a gang member back on the street who he knows has been previously deported by the federal government.
• The law specifically states that police, “may not solely consider race, color or national origin” when implementing SB 1070.
• When Arizona’s governor signed the new law, she also issued an executive order requiring the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board to provide local police with additional training on what does and what does not constitute “reasonable suspicion.”

As we can see here, and according to the text of the bill, the intent of SB1070 is to “discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.” The only intent of the bill is to enforce federal law in the state of Arizona. Why, then, are members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and others within the U.S. objecting to the Arizona law? Let’s examine the Catholic side of the immigration debate.

In a recent article published in the Miami Herald, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, archbishop of Miami, wrote:

Our immigration laws need to be changed: They are antiquated and inadequate for the promotion and regulation of social and economic relations of 21st-century America. On this point everyone seemingly agrees. However, the solutions proposed should not make the situation worse. Outdated laws, ill adapted to the increasing interdependence of our world and the globalization of labor, are bad laws. Proposed changes, however, must take into account both human dignity and the national interest.

Source: Justice for Immigrants

The newly installed Archbishop of Miami continued his explanation of the Catholic viewpoint by detailing how the Catholic bishops have called for comprehensive immigration reform for the past several years. Through the U.S. bench’s Justice for Immigrants, the bishops have consistently called for immigration “reform that, while addressing future needs for labor by providing for a legal guest-worker program, also offers an ‘earned’ path to legalization for those 10 million or so workers already in the country as well as fixing the unacceptable backlogs for family reunification visas that keep families separated for intolerable lengths of time.”

Archbishop Wenski wrote:

Illegal immigration should not be tolerated. It leads to abuse and exploitation of the migrants themselves; and, ultimately, businesses that rely on their labor — and, in doing so, help fuel the growth of the American economy — would prefer and benefit from a reliable, legal work force.

But, fixing illegal immigration does not require the “demonization’” if so-called “illegals.” America has always been a land of promise and opportunity for those willing to work hard. We can provide for our national security and secure borders without making America, a nation of immigrants, less a land of promise or opportunity for immigrants.

In the article, Wenski went on to say that the migrant of today is simply looking for “the opportunity to redeem themselves through honest work. Today, many take umbrage at the Catholic bishops’ advocacy on behalf of these “illegals” — but, in doing so, we stand in a proud moral tradition.”

As a result, the Catholic bishops in the U.S. are calling on Congress to “seize the opportunity for a comprehensive fix to our broken immigration system. To date, its failure to act has contributed to neo-nativist anti-immigrant sentiment and to ill-advised initiatives…that usurps what is the purview of the federal government.” He concluded by saying: “As Jesus reminded the embittered zealots of his day, laws are designed for the benefit — not the harm — of humankind.”

It is not my duty to tell you all what to think — I think you all are plenty capable of doing that yourselves. However, it is important for all of us, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to examine both sides of the issue. When we examine bills up for consideration or laws that have been passed, we must also remember to be charitable. As Christians it is our responsibility to show compassion and mercy to all of our brothers and sisters. When it comes to this issue, I am instantly reminded of a very popular Catholic hymn:

One bread, one body, one Lord of all, one cup of blessing which we bless. And we, though many, throughout the earth, we are one body in this one Lord.

Gentil or Jew, servant or free, woman or man, no more.

In other words folks, we are all in this together. We all travel down the same journey of life. It doesn’t matter if we are legal or illegal; it doesn’t matter if we are White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. We are all brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, our Lord and we must live the way Jesus taught us to live.

Statistics Source: Center for Immigration Studies

Arbshp. Wenski Article Source: Miami Herald

One Bread, One Body Source: OCP

Friday, April 9, 2010

Thursday after Mass in Leogann where once a parish church stood we traveled across the mountains to Jacmel on Haiti’s Southeast coast. The city is known for its art and was a popular tourist destination for Haitians from Port-au-Prince.

The city’s cathedral was built in the 1840′s and part of the cultural patrimony of the nation did not collapse. However it sustained sufficient damage to render it unusable.

Other parishes in the Jacmel area were completely demolished. At the school run by Christian brothers since the 1880′s makeshift classrooms set up in the school courtyard now serve four different schools through a multiple shift schedule.

Returning to Port-au-Prince late afternoon we visited the grave of Archbishop Miyot which is next door to the provisional seminary erected in tents on land owned by the Haitian Bishops Conference.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Wednesday’s trip to Gressier on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince also included visits to Petit Goave, Grand Goave and Leogann. All towns have lost their parish churches as well as their outlying chapels (which serve the rural areas of the parishes). All but one have also lost rectories with priests now living in pup tents outside the ruins of their parishes. Schools have likewise been affected. Sessions are to resume next week for the first time since the earthquake. Classes will take place under tarps or in other make do structures

Despite the almost total destruction of infrastructure, the work of the Church continues. Priests celebrate Mass in front of the ruins of their parish churches. Dispensaries are operated under trees or from tents.

In the encampments like the one I celebrated Mass in last night people are living in Spartan conditions but still respond enthusiastically in song and prayer. Catholic Relief Services is a supportive presence – providing latrines in some areas and emergency food aid in others.

Today after an early Mass in Leogann to be celebrated on the spot where the church once stood we travel to Jacmel on Haiti’s Southeast coast. The cathedral and several of its parishes were similarly affected by the earthquake.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Tuesday we began with the celebration of Mass with the Missionaries of Charity at their convent. Then we visited the slum area of Site Soley and the works in education and health care of the Daughters of Charity. Later we visited a clinic staffed by doctors from Cuba. Accompanying me are three structural engineers so the rest of the day was occupied looking at damaged church buildings to see what may be reparable and studying what type of new construction is needed to enable the Church to continue to provide pastoral, educational and health services.

On Monday we visited Sacred Heart parish and St Francis de Sales; on Tuesday the Cathedral, St. Therese and St. Louis parishes. Next to St .Therese we visited an encampment of several thousand people where we met with a congressional delegation from the United States

Today we head out to Gressier near the epicenter of earthquake and on return to the capital I will celebrate Mass at Club Petionville, one of largest camps of people left homeless after the earthquake.

Evenings have been taken up with some “formal” dinners with church dignitaries and other officials.

Holy Week is time when Catholics worldwide feel the pain of dying in Christ.

It comes this year as media reports bring up heartrending, often previously published, stories with a new twist – how the Vatican handled the cases. Efforts to link stories to culpable inaction by Pope Benedict XVI cause reasonable people anguish given all that the pope has tried to do to address this crisis…

For many, the emphasis of Holy Week is on Good Friday, a day that’s good not because Jesus died a terrible death that day, but because the death led to His subsequent resurrection. It holds deep meaning for Catholics now who seek meaning from the tragedy of pedophilia.

Pedophilia has had terrible effect on many and reminds us of sinful humanity than is around us and within us. It has made a long Good Friday for many, especially those victimized by this sin and crime. But as the church has learned while dealing with these wounds, as it did with the crucifixion of Jesus, the pain can lead to a church purified of sin.

With the current spate of news stories about inaction in the face of pedophilia, Catholics rightly feel numbness like that of Holy Saturday when the Apostles and followers of Jesus were stunned by the events around them. The message, however, is that Jesus’ death led to new life. The Church is still learning through its pain. The comfort of Christ awaits, which is something victims/survivors need and deserve and something the entire Church, from Pope Benedict to the newest baptized child, can take hope in.

As we journey throughout Holy Week, take some time to reflect on Jesus’ Passion. Recall Jesus’ struggle of carrying the cross and realize that even He needed help carrying it. Recall Jesus’ words: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34 NAB) Most of all, remember that Christ rose from the dead in glory. As in all things, the Church will overcome this struggle. For now, pray for the Pope and the Catholic Church.

SOURCE: USCCB Media Blog | Sr. Mary Ann Walsh

PHOTO SOURCE: AP | BBC News

Shortly after President Obama signed the legislation into law on Wednesday, I made the following statement on my Twitter page because I was completely dumbfounded that Americans had stooped to this level of immaturity: “People have been sending death threats to those in Congress who voted for the HCR bill?!?!? Needs to stop!!!” When did we begin viewing our fellow Americans, our brothers and sisters in Christ, as enemies. Well, I was not the only one experiencing that disappointment in my fellow Americans.

Today, Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, Director of Media Relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement on the USCCB Media blog:

The heat in the aftermath of passage of health care reform reveals the depth of feeling among those for and against the landmark bill that affects all Americans. Such heat, however, cannot justify the verbal and physical violence that has ensued.

If we needed health care because of the crisis affecting the sick, especially the weakest among us, we need even more a move toward civility, if not for our own betterment then at least for the betterment of our children.

Politics has become a kind of blood sport. News junkies over the weekend heard reports of crowds shouting racist remarks and individuals spitting at African American lawmakers, including John Lewis, who suffered violence years ago when he marched for Civil Rights. Surely he – and all of us – has a right to expect that that chapter of despicable, racist violence long over.

We’ve seen reports of homes and offices of lawmakers vandalized and heard of death threats. Anonymous messages are being left on voicemails – I even got one from a nun, for goodness sake. If that isn’t proof that we’ve gone astray I don’t know what is.

The wonderfully unedited Web may share some blame as it gives free reign to those who say whatever suits their strategic purpose, truthful or not. Their presentations – usually anonymous – underscore a significant failing of the Web, lack of editors and accountability.

We’ve seen columnists write with vitriol as they demonize those with whom they disagree. There’s a viciousness which goes beyond what can be called acerbic writing.

We need to address this climate.

The intolerance and incivility did not begin with legislation passed Sunday night. It is not unrelated to the divisions that exist in our country and, sadly, even in our church.

It starts with how we view others – as enemies rather than as fellow travelers on the journey of life. It includes whether or not we’re willing to give another the benefit of the doubt, accepting that their intentions are good, even if their goals differ from ours.

It involves accepting the fact that each of us is a child of God and precious to Him and our brother or sister.

It involves how we speak and terms for one another.

Last Tuesday, March 23, Cardinal Francis George, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted the bishops’ disappointment that the health reform legislation did not include all they sought, especially adequate protection of rights of conscience and guarantees that federal funds would not go for abortion services. But he also noted that politicians on both sides of the aisle had worked nobly for the protection of life and decried those who would vilify them. Even in disappointment, the bishops were civil and generous. There position is worth emulating.

In 1959, Pope John XXIII, in his first encyclical, “On Truth, Unity and Peace,” in a Spirit of Charity, quoted a maxim attributed to St. Augustine, “In essentials, unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things charity.”

In all things charity surely is the message we all need today. It’s not a bad start to Holy Week.

SOURCE: USCCB Media Blog

PHOTO SOURCE: Los Angeles Times

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from Catholics across the U.S. in response to the needs of earthquake survivors in Haiti. So far, the special collection from U.S. dioceses raised over $55 million for emergency help, and other contributions have brought in an additional $50 million. The USCCB Subcommittee for the Church in Latin America is partnering with CRS in the response. CRS is focusing now on rebuilding efforts—such as moving people from makeshift camps to temporary housing as the rainy station draws near—while the Bishops’ Advisory Group for Haiti of the Church in Latin America Committee will help rebuild the Church’s fabric and infrastructure in the Caribbean nation. This video shows how CRS put those donations to action in the days immediately following the quake.

For the latest updates on CRS’ relief efforts for survivors of the earthquake in Haiti, please visit CRS’ Haiti emergency landing page.

For information on how to make donations to help rebuild the Church in Haiti and updates go to the Haiti page of the National Collections office of the U.S. Bishops.

For the article with CRS video, please visit the USCCB Media Blog.

SOURCE: USCCB Media Blog

PHOTO SOURCE: Los Angeles Times

For nearly a century, the Catholic bishops of the United States have called for reform of our health care system so that all may have access to the care that recognizes and affirms their human dignity. Christian discipleship means, “working to ensure that all people have access to what makes them fully human and fosters their human dignity” (United States Catechism for Adults, page 454). Included among those elements is the provision of necessary and appropriate health care.

For too long, this question has gone unaddressed in our country. Often, while many had access to excellent medical treatment, millions of others including expectant mothers, struggling families or those with serious medical or physical problems were left unable to afford the care they needed. As Catholic bishops, we have expressed our support for efforts to address this national and societal shortcoming. We have spoken for the poorest and most defenseless among us. Many elements of the health care reform measure signed into law by the President address these concerns and so help to fulfill the duty that we have to each other for the common good. We are bishops, and therefore pastors and teachers. In that role, we applaud the effort to expand health care to all.

Nevertheless, for whatever good this law achieves or intends, we as Catholic bishops have opposed its passage because there is compelling evidence that it would expand the role of the federal government in funding and facilitating abortion and plans that cover abortion. The statute appropriates billions of dollars in new funding without explicitly prohibiting the use of these funds for abortion, and it provides federal subsidies for health plans covering elective abortions. Its failure to preserve the legal status quo that has regulated the government’s relation to abortion, as did the original bill adopted by the House of Representatives last November, could undermine what has been the law of our land for decades and threatens the consensus of the majority of Americans: that federal funds not be used for abortions or plans that cover abortions. Stranger still, the statute forces all those who choose federally subsidized plans that cover abortion to pay for other peoples’ abortions with their own funds. If this new law is intended to prevent people from being complicit in the abortions of others, it is at war with itself.

We share fully the admirable intention of President Obama expressed in his pending Executive Order, where he states, “it is necessary to establish an adequate enforcement mechanism to ensure that Federal funds are not used for abortion services.” However, the fact that an Executive Order is necessary to clarify the legislation points to deficiencies in the statute itself. We do not understand how an Executive Order, no matter how well intentioned, can substitute for statutory provisions.

The statute is also profoundly flawed because it has failed to include necessary language to provide essential conscience protections (both within and beyond the abortion context). As well, many immigrant workers and their families could be left worse off since they will not be allowed to purchase health coverage in the new exchanges to be created, even if they use their own money.

Many in Congress and the Administration, as well as individuals and groups in the Catholic community, have repeatedly insisted that there is no federal funding for abortion in this statute and that strong conscience protection has been assured. Analyses that are being published separately show this not to be the case, which is why we oppose it in its current form. We and many others will follow the government’s implementation of health care reform and will work to ensure that Congress and the Administration live up to the claims that have contributed to its passage. We believe, finally, that new legislation to address its deficiencies will almost certainly be required.

As bishops, we wish to recognize the principled actions of the pro-life Members of Congress from both parties, in the House and the Senate, who have worked courageously to create legislation that respects the principles outlined above. They have often been vilified and have worked against great odds.

As bishops of the Catholic Church, we speak in the name of the Church and for the Catholic faith itself. The Catholic faith is not a partisan agenda, and we take this opportunity to recommit ourselves to working for health care which truly and fully safeguards the life, dignity, conscience and health of all, from the child in the womb to those in their last days on earth.

SOURCE: USCCB

PHOTO SOURCE: Reflections of a Theology Geek

This week the Church in the United States celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week; a week that the Bishops have set aside in which all Catholics are asked to pray for an increase in vocations. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston who is the current chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations said that, as Catholics, “it is our responsibility to encourage young people to be generous in their response as they discern the possibility of a call to service in the Church.”

As we begin this week, it is fitting that the Gospel reading from Mass this morning was on the call of the Apostles: Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Jesus asked all of them to leave everything they possessed behind to “Come after me.” Sometimes we don’t understand or we can’t clearly see where the Lord is calling us. In these instances, we must put all of our trust and hope in the Lord , asking Him to show us the path He wants us to follow that will best serve the church.

On other occasions, we clearly hear where the Lord wants us to go and we are fearful to respond to his call. In these times, it is important to remember the life of Mary, who, though filled with fear at the message of the angel declaring her to be to virgin Mother of God, answered with a yes. Let us not forget that, in Mary’s time, women who were not married and became pregnant were literally stoned to death. However, despite all of this uncertainty, Mary trusted that God would take care of her.

Throughout this week, please pray that the young men and women of the Church in the United States will consider what our Heavenly Father wants them to do with their lives. When they do hear the Lord’s will for their lives, pray that they will respond without fear or anxiety, no matter what vocation they are called to. Pray for those who are discerning the priesthood of Jesus Christ, the consecrated religious life, married life, and single life. Pray that the Lord will grant them peace and perseverance. Finally, encourage the young people of your parishes to seriously consider what the Lord is calling them to do–sometimes all it takes is a simple invitation.

“The observance of National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) began in 1976 when the National Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year as the beginning of NVAW. In 1997, this celebration was moved to coincide with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

“The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on January 10 in 2010, marks the initiation of Jesus into public ministry. At his baptism Jesus is named the beloved Son of God. With this celebration the faithful recommit themselves to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. They are also initiated through their own baptism to be the Beloved of God, commissioned to proclaim Good News with their lives.”

SOURCE: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

PHOTO SOURCE: National Coalition for Church Vocations