This week I had several topics for an editorial. Since I couldn’t single out just one topic, I decided to write on two important issues — perhaps more connected than at first glance!
Promoting vocations
The Catholic Church in the United States celebrates National Vocation Awareness Week, January 11 to 17. This is a week for Catholics across the country to highlight the gift of vocations in the Church through prayer and education.
“As a Church, we recognize the need to safeguard and promote this gift,” said Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, chairman of the Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations.
All of us in the Church have the responsibility to pray for vocations and invite young people to consider a call to serve the Church as priests, Sisters, Brothers, deacons, and lay ministers.
This week’s Catholic Herald print edition includes a special section highlighting Church vocations. I encourage people to read it and share it, especially with young adults who might be considering their future.
Opposing abortion
All Catholics have a call to live out their faith in the public arena. We have two “opportunities” — perhaps better described as “threats” — to live out our faith in opposing abortion.
In Madison, the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and Meriter Hospital are considering allowing the performance of late-term abortions (up to 22 weeks) at the Madison Surgery Center.
We must oppose this plan. See the story on the front page of this week’s Catholic Herald Web site for more information. Concerned citizens should e-mail their objections to publicaffairs@uwhealth.org or write to Donna Katen-Bahensky, president and CEO of UW Hospital and Clinics, or Jeffrey Grossman, M.D., president and CEO of the UW Medical Foundation, both at 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792 .
People in the Diocese of Madison will also be joining a national effort to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). See Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s column and letter on the Catholic Herald Web site Bishop Speaks Page and Susanna Herro’s article on the Columns Page for more about FOCA and the postcard campaign to stop it.