Bishop’s latest message reminds faithful that evil shall not prevail

In his latest message, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., reminds the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton that even in the worst of times, the “gates of hell shall not prevail” against God’s Church (Matthew 16:18).

“Headlines and the stories that accompany them can often startle and disturb, disappoint and discourage us, can even shake our faith,” Bishop O’Connell writes. “At those times, we need to remember that the Church is of divine origin, founded by Christ upon his Apostles, but placed in human hands. The Church’s mission is to hand on God’s Word and to inspire the community of believers to deeper faith in the Lord Jesus.”

In light of the scandals that have unfolded over the past two decades, Bishop O’Connell relays that Church officials should be held to high standards.

“Popes, cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons and other Church ministers should be held to the highest moral and spiritual standards,” Bishop O’Connell writes. “That’s the goal the Church strives for. Personal sinfulness or immorality are never acceptable and should be addressed head on by the Church and civil authorities as well when warranted.”

He later writes: “Such offenses may, indeed, shake a person’s faith in an individual offending clergyman, but they do not change the Lord Jesus’ intention in establishing his Church or the Sacraments administered in his name. Our faith is in the Lord Jesus. He is present in and with the Church all days, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, despite the wounds that unworthy clergy may inflict upon it.”

You can read Bishop O’Connell’s full message, “In the midst of crisis, the Lord is with his Church,” HERE.