Editorial

Mothers: Play key role in fostering church vocations

This year, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations falls on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11. This wonderful mingling of two special occasions provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the role of mothers in fostering all vocations, but especially the call to serve the church.

We know that Jesus' mother, Mary, had a profound influence on his life. She herself had answered God's call to be the mother of our Redeemer. Remember that Mary had found herself pregnant as a young, unmarried woman. What a shock that must have been! Yet, when the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary, she accepted God's plan.

Mother's influence. Jesus responded to his own mother's request when he performed his first miracle at the wedding feast at Cana. Appropriately, that miracle took place after a marriage ceremony, showing the importance Jesus placed on married life.

Mary and other women of Nazareth - no doubt many of them mothers - stood by Jesus during his suffering and death. They waited at the tomb and were the first to know of his resurrection. We could say they were the most steadfast of Jesus' disciples, although theirs was a quiet kind of discipleship.

This is similar to many of us mothers. We nurture our children, taking care of their needs when they are young. We give them our love and the example of our lives as models for theirs.

Then, we watch as they leave the "nest." We hope they fly safely and well, knowing they go with our love and support. Sometimes it's difficult to let go. But, like Mary, we know our children must be about "their business."

Encouraging vocations. Many Catholic mothers can - and do - encourage their children to consider church vocations. They plant the seeds of a vocation in early years through prayer, participation in parish activities, and fostering positive attitudes toward priests and religious.

When children start thinking about future careers, mothers (and fathers, too) can mention church vocations as a possibility. Studies have shown that mothers especially play a key role in developing and supporting the vocations of priests.

Thank, pray for all mothers. So on this Sunday, May 11, we thank all mothers for the role they play in our lives. And we encourage all mothers to follow in the Blessed Mother's footsteps by supporting their children's vocations, particularly being open to their consideration of the priesthood or consecrated life.

All of us - whether mothers or not - can join in prayer for mothers everywhere and for an increase in vocations so badly needed in the church today.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

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To the editor:

I would like to comment on the perceived need for a married priesthood. There are those who say that doing away with priestly celibacy will end the vocation crisis.

I don't agree. The Eastern Orthodox churches have never had a tradition of priestly celibacy, yet they have a far more severe shortage of priests than we have in the Roman church. The average age of priests in the Eastern Orthodox churches is 70. Obviously, celibacy is not the problem.

People say marriage is the answer for priests. Does our secular society really hold marriage in that high regard? If marriage is such a high priority in our culture, then why is the divorce rate more than 50 percent? I suggest that marriage is not the priority.

We have the tradition of celibacy simply because it is scriptural. It is based upon the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ himself. Celibacy is a way of seeking perfection in the spiritual life, not a negative restriction or an arbitrary limitation on one's personal freedom.

John Knox, Madison

To the editor:

North Dakota has recently joined Iowa and Michigan in enacting legislation that bans all forms of human cloning. These bans help fuel Pro-Life Wisconsin's drive toward our own state ban. Pro-Life Wisconsin continues to work with Rep. Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake) on AB 104 and Sen. Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan) on SB 45, companion legislation that bans all forms of human cloning in our state. We must be about protecting the dignity of all human beings, no matter what stage of development, by rejecting the utilitarian and dehumanizing practice of human cloning.

While a federal ban gradually moves through Congress, the importance of passing a comprehensive ban on the state level remains Pro-Life Wisconsin's top legislative priority. The federal ban has its limitations. Constitutionally, it may only prohibit cloning activities that impact interstate commerce.

We surely anticipate cloning activities in the state of Wisconsin that would not be covered under a federal law. In addition, the federal bill is likely to face a filibuster in the Senate. Wisconsin must outlaw all forms of human cloning as soon as possible.

George Kriegl, Pro-Life Wisconsin, Brookfield