Statements and Messages

A message from Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., on the mass killing in a Pittsburgh synagogue

I have written before of my admiration for Pope Paul VI (1897-1978). With his recent canonization — one of only eight popes in the 2,000-year history of the Church — much attention has been given to him and his papal teachings. He was, of course, the pope who presided over the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council (1962-65). Many of the writings he authored both during and after Vatican II are considered “landmark” documents for the Church in the modern world. To me, one of the greatest legacies of his pontificate (1963-78) is the attention he devoted to the role of the laity in the Church. Unfortunately, the lay faithful have too often been simply described as the “non-ordained.” True, the laity do not share in the Sacrament of Holy Orders but their significance and place in the Church cannot be defined by a negative.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Annually, the next-to-last Sunday of October marks the Church’s Eucharistic celebration for the Missions, World Mission Sunday. In his message for this year’s celebration on October 21, Pope Francis explains that “life is a mission.” “Each one of us is called to reflect on this fact: ‘I am a mission on this Earth; that is the reason why I am here in this world’ (Evangelii Gaudium 273),” he writes. Focusing on young people, he notes: “In speaking to you, I also address all Christians who live out in the Church the adventure of their life as children of God.”

The expression “culture warrior” is used in contemporary conversation to describe people who fight for those causes that run counter to prevailing cultural values and preferences, chief among those causes, the protection of human life in all its stages, from conception to natural death. It is rarely spoken or written in a positive way. And, yet, those who are labeled “pro-life” are, indeed, engaged in a significant battle to convince their opponents and critics that, as Pope St. John Paul II affirmed, “When some lives, including the unborn, are subjected to the personal choices of others, no other value or right will long be guaranteed.”

On this past Thursday, the Attorney General of New Jersey, Gurbir Grewal, announced that he will establish a task force to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of minors by clergy in the five Dioceses of the State of New Jersey as well as any indications of cover-up by their bishops and leaders in the Catholic Church.

The Church that the Lord Jesus Christ asked to “go out to all the world and tell the good news (Mark 15:16)” has had its share of “not so good news” this summer. It will make the work of the catechist this particular year harder, for sure. But it is not a reason to stop catechizing. In fact, it makes catechesis even more urgent, more compelling, more necessary to follow the Lord’s command.

Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., published the following message Aug. 16 on diocesan media, and has asked that it be read during all Masses the weekend of Aug. 18 and 19.