Tag: kill

On
Kevin Wondrash

Catholic Bishops of Wisconsin issue statement on unjust killings and recent protests

The following statement has been issued by the Roman Catholic bishops of Wisconsin:

Dearly Beloved,

In this traumatic time, we join with our brother bishops and committee chairmen of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in expressing our anger and tremendous sorrow over the recent brutal death of George Floyd and the violence that people of color have suffered at the hands of vigilantes and unprincipled public authorities across our nation. These unjust acts have unfortunately plagued our state and nation for centuries. All of us must respond with prayer, solidarity, and solace for the victims and their families, but this continuing brutality calls for even greater effort and action.

We encourage everyone to examine any attitudes of racism within themselves or others that contribute to a culture of disrespect of the dignity and rights of every human person. As noted in the USCCB statement “People of good conscience must never turn a blind eye when citizens are being deprived of their human dignity and even their lives. Indifference is not an option. ‘As bishops, we unequivocally state that racism is a life issue.'”

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On
Tony Magliano

The world is awash with weapons

If someone’s house was on fire, would you pour gasoline on it? Well, the answer is obvious: Of course you wouldn’t. Yet that is very similar to what the United States and many other more economically developed nations are doing.

Despite the tragic fact that approximately 40 current armed conflicts worldwide are causing over 150,000 deaths annually, countless serious injuries, untold destruction, and 28,300 people per day fleeing from their homes, many of the wealthiest countries continue to pour flammable weapons into these volatile conflicts. And the U.S. is leading the pack (see: http://bit.ly/2ufpP5Y).

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On
Tony Magliano

The courageous witness of Blessed Oscar Romero

Who would have predicted it? Who would have imagined on February 23, 1977, the day of his appointment as Archbishop of San Salvador, that the highly conservative Oscar Romero — who was suspicious of the Catholic Church’s involvement in political activism — would die a martyr’s death.

And that he would die for courageously defending his people against the murderous assaults of the Salvadoran government, military, and right-wing death squads.

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On
Lynn Scullion

Scripture inspires us to save unborn babies

To the editor:

“Thou shalt not kill.”

“What you have done to the least of my brothers you have done unto me.”

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”

“Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

So ask not what we can do just to save animals, but what can we do to save our own offspring, babies.

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On
Tony Magliano

The challenge of Lent continues beyond Easter

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As the Lend ends, let us never forget its commanding start: “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel!”

We could spend most of our lives reflecting and acting on this single powerful sentence. And indeed we should.

For in turning away from all that hurts our relationship with God — sin — and being faithful to the essential foundation which nurtures that relationship — the Gospel — we discover ever more fully the beauty, peace, joy, and meaning of this life, and prepare well for the incomprehensible wonders of eternal life!

Turning away from sin

This is the ideal time for the nation as a whole to turn away from sin.

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On
Tom Grenchik

The high cost of conscience

At the end of the liturgical year, the Mass readings tell dramatic stories from the Books of Maccabees of simple folks standing courageously for their faith in the face of torture and death. Their exemplary witness can strengthen us as we defend our conscience rights and religious liberty which are under attack today.

In second century B.C., a conquering king was intent on suppressing Judaism in Palestine. He issued a decree that his whole kingdom should all be one people, each abandoning his particular customs and religious laws and observances. Whoever refused to comply would be killed.

Though large numbers did comply, we’re told that many in Israel “preferred to die rather than be defiled with unclean food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Terrible affliction was upon Israel” (Maccabees 1:63).

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