Bishops' Schedules: Bishop Robert C. Morlino September 14 to 20, 2005 Apostolic Visitation Meeting, Washington, D.C. Wednesday, September 21, 2005 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. Mary Help of Christians Parish, Sullivan Thursday, September 22, 2005 7:00 p.m. -- Session Leader at "Theology on Tap," Topic: "Language is the 'House of Being' - Serving the Needs of the Morally Homeless," Babe's Bar and Grill, Madison Bishop William H. Bullock Saturday, September 17, 2005 5:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at the Sacrament of Confirmation, St. John Vianney Parish, Janesville Sunday, September 18, 2005 3:00 p.m. -- Preside and Preach at the Celebration of the Eucharist (Outdoor Mass), Dickeyville Grotto 75th Anniversary Celebration, Holy Ghost Parish, Dickeyville

Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

		Under the Gospel Book + Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Dear Friends:

The last time I spoke with you via this column, it would never have struck me that within so short a period, the situation in New Orleans, Louisiana, right here in the United States, would be worse than the situation in Baghdad.

In Baghdad acts of terrorism are routine but the Iraqi military and the multi-national force are at least able to respond. It is truly incredible when police, firemen, the military, and other emergency response units are themselves so victimized and incapacitated that the appropriate immediate response becomes virtually impossible.

With our sisters and brothers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, especially in New Orleans, we ache, we pray, and we do what we can to assist them in their time of catastrophe. I know that the generosity of our people in the Diocese of Madison will shine forth through the collection which I asked be taken up in all parishes on Sunday, September 4, as well as through donations made to the Red Cross and other reliable vehicles for helping these sisters and brothers of ours. In anticipation of the response to our collection, the Diocese has already contributed $100,000 for disaster relief, and we have renewed our eight-year-old commitment to FEMA to offer space at our Bishop O'Connor Center to those who are displaced by the tragedy.

Resist temptation to blame God

We are tempted at times like these to blame God and the question frequently arises, "Why would God allow such a tragedy?" - the same question that arose during the tsunami catastrophe, and the same question that arises for our sisters and brothers right here in Stoughton, who suffered such profound losses as a result of the tornado. Our heart and our prayers, of course, are with them as well.

This temptation to blame God is not assisted by the traditional policy of insurance companies that call such disasters "an act of God." Happily most insurance companies currently speak of these natural disasters precisely as acts of nature and the terminology "act of God" has fallen increasingly into disuse as is appropriate. But the temptation to blame God seems to be built into us. And so the story of the book of Job comes instinctively to mind. In brief, the devil convinced the Lord to allow him to destroy everything that Job had spent his life building so as to test Job's faith.

	More on Hurricane Katrina: • National/World News page • Prayer for victims of Hurricane Katrina from Sept. 8, 2005 edition: • Editorial -- After disasters: Helping our brothers and sisters in need • St. Vincent de Paul to aid those impacted by hurricane from Sept. 1, 2005 edition: • Bishop Morlino authorizes special collection for Hurricane Katrina victims (posted 9/1/2005; updated 9/6/2005)
	More on Stoughton Tornado: from Sept. 8, 2005 edition: • Tornado aftermath: Helping each other pick up the pieces from Aug. 25, 2005 edition: • Editorial -- Helping others: Not just a nice thing to do posted Aug. 19, 2005: • Tornado in Stoughton

First, Satan destroyed Job's property, and then his cattle, and then his children, leaving Job dirt poor, with only his wife to console him. When he turned to her for comfort, she cried out, "Curse God and die!" So much for the comfort that Job was hoping for! And so he turned to the Lord and gave in to the temptation to blame the Lord. "How could you allow this?" and God answered Job out of the whirlwind saying, "Stand up like a man, I get to ask the questions and you get to give the answers! Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Where were you when I set the stars in place and knew their number? How did I manage to set the boundaries of the sea? Tell me, if you know."

Job quickly got the idea, knowing exactly who God was and exactly who he, himself, was. Job stopped asking the questions and said, "I have inquired into matters WAY beyond my comprehension and I repent in dust and ashes." The awesome reality that anything exists at all is the only mystery that we are allowed to question: Why is there being and not nothing? The answer is an all-loving God who always brings about what is best for us, even out of evil. To be tempted to blame God, asking the "Why did God allow this?" question shows only our own need to put ourselves in our place before the awesome mystery of Being and to repent in dust and ashes.

Addressing by-products of hurricane

There have been three by-products of the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe that I feel compelled to address. Many were able to escape from the disaster areas before hurricane Katrina hit, having had the means to heed the warnings and the order to evacuate. But it seemed when we saw individuals who were simply trapped, who did not have the means to do anything about their plight, they seemed to have in common, for the most part, being poor, or being elderly, and being African-American.

There surely is something wrong with our approaches in the United States when a particular group of people, who are already victims in so many ways, are further singled out, seemingly, and victimized. This problem cannot be laid at the feet of any specific individuals. Especially since the days of Lyndon Johnson, every presidential administration has taken the measures it deems prudent to better the lot of Americans, especially those who risk having no safety net when disaster strikes.

Those without a safety net appeared, generally, to be poor, elderly, and African-American. Our nation and all of us as individuals need to examine our conscience about this awful dimension of an already terrible catastrophe. We need to raise the minimum of education and standard of living available to every human being in the U.S. precisely because he or she is human.

The second by-product of Hurricane Katrina is the use of it by certain politicians to stir up hatred against the President of the United States. It has been said that Hurricane Katrina was caused by the policies of President Bush. It also has been said that President Bush clearly doesn't care about black people. The demonization of the President of the United States began in earnest when President Clinton served. Both Republicans and Democrats can bear their own share of the guilt for the politics of personal destruction that seems to reach ever-greater heights.

For politicians seemingly to take advantage of Hurricane Katrina to further re-enforce hatred for the President of the United States certainly will not help any of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, nor will it help with the rebuilding of lives and property, especially in New Orleans but also in other parts of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, and our own Stoughton. Stirring up hatred for the President of the United States at a time of national disaster is not a civic virtue. Whether it be President Clinton or President Bush, the stirring up of such hatred at a time when human nature instinctively wants to express communion and solidarity with brothers and sisters really is unforgivable, for it introduces artificially a climate of hate where human beings are tending naturally toward communion and solidarity.

The third by-product is the arrogant denial by some, of the truth of interdependence. Upon hearing that Cuba had offered us some assistance, one newsman commented, "Cuba - helping us? We really have to figure out where we went wrong." Our beloved country, humbled by the forces of nature, would do well humbly to accept whatever assistance we are offered, and humbly to confess our interdependence with others. Failure to do so may invite the Lord to allow us, for our own good, to be humbled even more severely.

Pray for all victims of tragedy

So in closing, let me once again ask you to pray for all the victims of tragedy, whether it be those of Hurricane Katrina or our beloved sisters and brothers right here in Stoughton. Let us reach out to them with as much assistance as the Lord's blessings upon ourselves would suggest. And let us pray and work for the healing of discrimination against the poor, against the elderly, against African-Americans, and for an end to all racial discrimination. And let us pray, work and insofar as we can, vote for an end to the politics of personal hatred.

Thank you for reading this and God bless each one of you. Praised be Jesus Christ!

Bishop's Letter

Dear Friends in Christ:

The annual combined collection for Peter's Pence and the Catholic University of America will be taken the weekend of September 10 and 11.

The Peter's Pence collection supports the charitable works of Pope Benedict XVI. The proceeds from this collection provide emergency relief assistance to those suffering as a result of war, oppression, and natural disasters. An amazing 98 cents of each dollar collected directly supports the Holy Father's spiritual and charitable efforts worldwide, the works of the Church, and for social development work.

The Catholic University of America, located in our nation's capital, is a visible sign of the commitment of the Church to encourage vigorous intellectual pursuit, guided by Church teaching. It also prepares men and women for active professional careers grounded in respect for the rights and dignity of all persons. Many will be leaders of the Church in years to come. Your prayers for the young people studying there, and your financial support, will further these important roles of CUA.

Thank you for your generous gifts in support of the Holy Father's charities and The Catholic University of America.

Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino
Bishop of Madison