Dear Friends,
By the time you are able to read this column, I will have begun my vacation in warmer climes. Bishop Bullock has taught me well how advisable it is to take vacation at this time of year, and, along with so many other good things, I am grateful to him for this particular important bit of wisdom. I beg your prayers that I will have health and safety during this time of vacation and, most importantly, grow in faith. This is the very same prayer that rises up from my heart for each one of you, each day.
You will find, below, a letter which I have sent to my brother priests with regard to a national effort which is being made in every diocese in the United States, spearheaded by Cardinal Rigali of Philadelphia, chair of the Pro-Life Committee of our national bishops’ conference.
The threat of the passage of the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) cannot be overstated. It would do the same level of damage in the moral and legal spheres that our current economic crisis would do in its own sphere, if unchecked.
As Catholics and as human persons who follow the laws of human reason, we are faced with two great urgencies — the urgency with regard to the Freedom of Choice Act and the urgency of our economic situation. When we are presented with grave and urgent challenges, the Lord who allows the challenge to come our way also gives the grace to confront it.
Thus, please take very seriously the appeal that your parish priests will be making to communicate with your legislators, as to the importance of blocking the passage of the Freedom of Choice Act. Since Roe vs. Wade, so many excellent people have contributed so many excellent efforts moving in the direction of the reversal of Roe vs. Wade, which still remains our solemn obligation, both as human persons and as Catholics. The Freedom of Choice Act would undo all of those excellent contributions and efforts made over so many years, in one fell swoop — thus the urgency.
Again, please read carefully the letter that I have sent to my brother priests, and please do everything that you can to cooperate in so important an effort on behalf of life, as we begin this new year, 2009. Let it be a year, for us as disciples of Jesus, where we affirm in every way that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that we find Him primarily, in this world, in His Body, the Church.
Thank you for reading this. God bless you every day in this new year! Praised be Jesus Christ!