Vote for principle

The statue is of John Wood (1798-1880),
founder of Quincy and second governor of Illinois.

What was once the principle square in my beloved Gem City (a.k.a. Hobbiton) originally was named John Park (today it is called Washington Square/Park).

It was the main square of downtown Quincy, which was - and remains - the seat of Adams County.

As you have likely deduced - and rightly so - Quincy, Illinois was named in 1825 after the sixth President of these United States of America, John Quincy Adams.

It was in this very park that Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln held their sixth of seven debates, a moment that Quincians have not forgotten, but that's a story perhaps for another day.

At any rate, it was the namesake of my hometown who said (as Bishop Coyne reminds us today):

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.

This nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  These three are very much intertwined and are presently being threatened from numerous sides as both the dignity of human life and the freedom of religion are slowly and purposefully being curtailed.

As we cast our ballots today, let us do so for these principles that have made our nation great, and not for partisan politics.  We must remember that we are not Republicans or Democrats or Independents, but Catholics.

May God bless us, one and all.

Homily - 30 September 2012

The Twenty-sixth Sunday of the Year (B)

Dear brothers and sisters,

On April 23, 1886, Cardinal Simeoni said to then Deacon Augustus Tolton: “America has been called the most enlightened nation on earth.  We will see if it deserves that honor.  If the United States has never before seen a black priest, it must see one now.”  The next morning Deacon Tolton was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ and sent back to his home here in Quincy.

The most enlightened nation on earth?  I wonder, what did Father Gus think of that phrase?  Born in slavery, he only became free after his mother made a harrowing escape with her three children when Gus was seven.  Does an enlightened nation enslave people simply on the basis of the color of their skin?

When he enrolled at St. Boniface school in Quincy, many of the parents of the white children threatened to withdraw their children; young Gus – then ten years old – was the first black student there and withdrew himself.  Does an enlightened nation discriminate against others because of the color of their skin?  When he later enrolled in St. Peter school – at the insistence of the pastor, Gus found that, “As long as I was in that school, I was safe.  Everyone was kind to me.”[1]

Here, perhaps, we see something of an enlightened nation, but then we remember why Father Tolton left Quincy: the jealousy of Father Weiss, who told the first black priest in these United States that he could only minister to blacks and not to whites.  Even so, writing to Cardinal Gibbons, Father Tolton wrote, “The white people in this little Gem City of Quincy, Ills are really good hearted charitable and nonprejudicial, no feelings of bitterness at all against a man on account of complexion.”[2]  Following his death in 1897 and, in keeping with his wishes, Father Tolton was buried here in Quincy where his body remains today.

History will judge whether or not the America of Father Tolton’s day was indeed an enlightened nation, but I wonder: Will history judge the America of our day to be enlightened?

Is a nation that would require people of faith to violate their consciences and provide contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing drugs an enlightened nation?  The recent federal mandate of the Department of Health and Human Services requires precisely this, in clear contradiction of our first amendment right of the free exercise of religion.

Is a nation that makes it illegal for a priest to baptize an illegal immigrant or even hear his confession an enlightened nation?  Such a law was been passed in Alabama last year.

Is a nation that seeks to alter the very structure and organization of the Church and to determine who is and who is not a “religious minister” an enlightened nation?  Such a restructuring was attempted in Connecticut in 2009.

Is a nation that tells student religious groups that people of a different faith must be able to be leaders of their religious groups an enlightened nation?  This happened at the University Of California Hastings College Of Law in 2009 and at Vanderbilt University this year.

Is a nation that forces Catholic Charities out of foster care and adoptions simply because their faith tells them they cannot place children with same-sex or unmarried couples an enlightened nation?  This happened this year in Illinois, in the District of Columbia in 2010, and in Boston and in San Francisco in 2006.

Is a nation that refuses to allow Christians to use public buildings but allows other groups to use the same buildings an enlightened nation?  This happens routinely in New York City and elsewhere.

Is a nation that refuses contracts to the best organization helping with human trafficking because it will not provide abortions and contraception an enlightened nation?  The federal government this year refused to renew contracts with the U.S. Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services for this very reason.

Is a nation that kills more than one million babies each year in their mother’s wombs an enlightened nation?  Blessed Teresa of Calcutta shed light on the horror of abortion when she reminded us that “It is a poverty that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.”

Is a nation that thinks more about its economic standing than even the right to life when deciding its future an enlightened nation?  I dare say it is not.  What good is a robust economy if few people may enjoy it?

Our Bishop wrote to us last week, saying, “you need to think and pray very carefully about your vote, because a vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy.”[3]  Many people have reacted strongly against the Bishop’s reminder, but the truth of his words remains.

Thinking ourselves more enlightened than our ancestors, we like to think that either Hell does not exist or that no one will go there.  The teaching of Jesus today stands starkly against such a notion.  “It is better for you to enter into life maimed,” he says, “than with two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire” (Mark 9:43).  Those who make their way to Hell do so by their own choice, by their free rejection of Jesus Christ and the truth of his Gospel.  Just as the Lord does not force us to be with him in this life, neither will he force anyone to be with him in eternity.

Those who make their way to eternal life, to heaven, to the presence of God, are those know that “the law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul,” that “the decree of the Lord is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple” (Psalm 19:8, 10).

In their recent document highlighting the increasing threats against our religious freedom, Our First, Most Cherished Liberty, our Bishops said:

As bishops we seek to bring the light of the Gospel to our public life, but the work of politics is properly that of committed and courageous lay Catholics. We exhort them to be both engaged and articulate in insisting that as Catholics and as Americans we do not have to choose between the two.[4]

Society today is telling us that the most important issues of the upcoming election are jobs and the economy; this is simply not true.  The most important issues of the upcoming election are the right to life and religious liberty.  Without life, no other right matters.  Without religious freedom, every other freedom will be taken away.  “What is at stake is whether America will continue to have a free, creative, and robust civil society – or whether the state alone will determine who gets to contribute to the common good, and how they get to do it.”[5]

On the day of our Baptism, each of us was entrusted with the light of Christ and was told to keep it burning brightly.  Each of us must bring this light to the public square so that the warmth of the Light of Word and the truth of his words may bring light to a world and a society darkened by sin.

Some will undoubtedly say, “Father, you’re crossing the line of separation of Church and State.” Such is not the case for what we are discussing is not a matter of Church and State but of faith and politics.  “This ought not to be a partisan issue.  The Constitution is not for Democrats or Republicans or Independents.  It is for all of us.”[6]  We must remember that we are neither Republicans or Democrats or Independents; we are Catholics.  No political party fully supports the truth of the Gospel or the mandate Jesus Christ has given us, though some parties are in greater alignment with it than others.

Faith requires something of us. It requires that we love both God and neighbor and that every decision we make, every word we speak, and every action we perform, be in keeping with the love of God and of neighbor, even in the voting booth. Faith can never be laid aside, for we are servants of the Lord at all times and in every place.  If we remember this and live accordingly, America will truly be an enlightened nation.

In speaking these words some will praise me and others condemn me, but I speak these for neither praise nor condemnation; I speak them because they are true. I know that “the precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart” and I want you and every person to know this, as well (Psalm 19:9).  Because these words are true I must speak them, for at the end of my life I want to say to the Divine Master, with honesty and sincerity, “I am an unprofitable servant; I have done what I was obliged to do” (cf. Luke 17:10). Amen.

---

[1] Roy Bauer, They Called Him Father Gus: The Life and Times of Augustine Tolton, First Black Priest in the U.S.A., Part Eight.

[2] Augustus Tolton, Letter to Cardinal Gibbons, July 24, 1888.

[3] Thomas John Paprocki, “Think and pray about your vote in upcoming election,” Catholic Times, September 23, 2012.

[4] United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Our First, Most Cherished Liberty: A Statement on Religious Liberty, 9.

[5] Ibid., 4-5.

[6] Ibid., 10.

Good news

I just learned that the percentage of voters in Effingham County who voted for Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden was the lowest in the state of Illinois at 31%.

Local election results

I'm very happy to say that, locally, voters seem to have cast their ballots largely in support of life. The only exception seems to have been the relection of Senator Durbin, but that race was close here.

The morning after

I slept precious little last night after watching coverage of yesterday's election of Senator Obama to the Oval Office. I spent much of the night in prayer and - after retiring for the night - what little sleep I did have could have been more restful.

It will be an interesting day in the high school where in their mock election Senator McCain won the election something like 150-50. Questions will come full force today and I am not ready for them. I fear for the future of this nation and pray to be proven wrong. Judging by Facebook statuses, my students are also greatly concerned for the future.

Over in England, Fr. Ray Blake comments on the election of Senator Obama, saying,

As an outsider I can't help but think Mr Obama's election is the triumph of form
over substance, and rhetoric over policy.

Sadly, he could not be more correct.

I was astounded last night at the claim of so many supposed "commentators" and "experts" who repeatedly said that we do not know Senator Obama, neither his past nor his policies, yet we elected him anyway.

It is a very sad day indeed when a nation elects a man whom they do not know and whose policies they know not to the highest office.

There have been a few who tried to pass on knowledge of Senator Obama's policies but the majority of people simply would not listen to them.

Fr. Blake also asks an exellect question: "Where was the Catholic vote? And what will the American biships says?" I should like to know the same.

For more on the so-called Catholic vote, Rocco has much of that information for us today.

Bishop Lucas on the election

The Catholic Times, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, has very kindly given me permission to publish Bishop Lucas' forthcoming column in which he discusses the upcoming election.

I'm very pleased with His Excelleny's column, as he hits the necessary points by beginning from a starting point that I've not seen other Bishops use (they may well have, but I haven't caught them). Here follows the full text of his column, with my emphases:

All during the months leading up to this week’s election, Catholics have been offered tremendous opportunities to learn more about Catholic teaching, to understand the importance of internalizing that teaching and then of applying it to the important issues facing our society, and finally to hear about the importance of bringing a Catholic understanding to the polls on election day. In fact, some have already participated in early voting. For the rest, I offer what I hope will be a helpful summary for your last minute consideration.

We look to the teachings of our Catholic faith to receive the blessing of God’s law communicated to us in our contemporary situation. The truth of these teachings is guarded by the Holy Spirit from one generation to the next. Catholics have the responsibility, as well as the privilege, of learning how to live in the world as God intends by studying the teachings of our faith. In other words, we form our consciences with sound teaching so that we can hold ourselves responsible for doing good and avoiding evil. The law of God for human society that is made explicit in the teachings of our faith is the same law that God writes on the heart of every person. This natural law can be known and understood by any person of good will who sincerely seeks the truth.

Catholic citizens have the right and the responsibility to participate in political and social processes, including voting, through which we share the light of the gospel. We do not accept a false notion of the separation of church and state that is designed to keep people of faith out of the public square. While the church herself may not be partisan nor endorse candidates, we can and must speak up for the defense of God-given rights. Individual Catholics, with well-formed consciences, should do all they can to see that those rights are protected and that government power is exercised in the service of true justice. While voting is important, the communication with those who serve in government about the responsibility to safeguard human rights and dignity is something we must attend to all year long.

The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life violates the most basic of human rights and is always wrong. Examples of this evil are abortion and euthanasia. It is true that there are many issues that must be of concern to faithful Catholics. But the responsibility to protect the right to life of each human person from conception to natural death must hold primacy of place in our consciences. We are deceiving ourselves if we allow ourselves to trade this responsibility away for some other issue or issues. For example, Catholics are rightly concerned about issues of war and peace, and we follow the gospel imperative to work for peace. However, we cannot ourselves be credible instruments for peace, nor can we credibly call for our nation to be a force for peace in the world, if we do not hold our elected officials to take concrete steps to enlarge the protection in law of the basic right to life here at home.

Catholics should approach participation in political and civic life armed with prayer and penance. We will never be equal to the sacred task of working for God’s plan for a just society until we are involved in a process of conversion ourselves. Therefore, I have asked that in every parish in this diocese, sometime in the several days before the election, all be invited to participate in some period of Eucharistic exposition and adoration. Let us pray together for the help of the Holy Spirit to act with a true conscience, as well as for God’s blessings on this country which we love. Further, I ask that every Catholic who is able participate in a voluntary day of fasting on Monday, November 3 – that is, to eat moderately at mealtime and to refrain from food between meals. I believe our prayer and penance at this time will be a pleasing offering to God in thanksgiving for the light of the gospel and in reparation for sins against the dignity of human life.

We have asked Mary, the Immaculate Conception, to be the heavenly patroness of our nation, as she is also of our diocese. We know that she will pray for us now, if we request her prayers, and will help us know how to be true disciples of her son Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Bishop Lucas!

Blind followers

It will come as no surprise to anyone that I am no support of Senator Obama.

I find it curious to ask those who support him why they do so. Inevitably, they tout the "hope and change" he will bring if elected. But when pressed as to what hope he brings or what changes he will bring - Illinois certainly hasn't seen any - his supporters are left without an answer.

The closest answer given me thus far is that he will end the war of Iraq. It's possible, perhaps, though highly unlikely. He may well withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq, but the hostility, violence and bloodshed will remain. Who can say if it will decrease or increase. We simply do not - and cannot - know the future.

Even if violence in Iraq would decrease, the number of deaths throughout the entire duration of the war comes nowhere near the number of unborn babies killed in the U.S. alone each year (this is the most common argument I hear in support of Senator Obama; morals aside, taken logically, it simply doesn't add up).

What we do know is what Senator Obama has promised to do if elected: sign the so-called Freedom of Choice Act. No good will come of this.

The other day I received a request for help from one of our former exchange students from Germany. She is conducted a poll of sorts for one of her classes. She asked how people from Illinois would be voting in the election given that Senator Obama represents Illinois.

I offered my take on things for her, largely as I outlined it above, though without reference to the war in Iraq.

I found her reply most intriguing, and distressing:

It is a big issue here also, most Europeans though favor Obama, but I think it is the same problem - many of us do not know what he is going to change and what he stands for.

It is said ad nauseam that we now have the most educated society the world has ever seen. If this is indeed the case, how is it that so many people - both here and abroad - can support a man with religious fervor without knowing for what he stands?

Grassroots Films has done it again!

Capello tip to A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.