Church and State (Part VI of VI)

09-22-2024Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Catholic Church is subject to an increasing hostility and discrimination that has never been seen in our lifetime. Attacks against Christian institutions and the maligning of Christian beliefs by the government, the courts, the media, and popular culture are reaching unprecedented and unacceptable levels. People who wish to practice their faith are being told by the elites that our faith is only to be seen as “personal” and “private” if it is to be seen at all.

We have all witnessed how Catholics and other believers are being told to keep their faith to themselves. That oppressive bullying is wrong and cannot be tolerated by anyone, anywhere, in any age. Our faith in God and what we believe as Catholics does influence how we live now and for eternity. Our faith impacts every aspect of our lives including how we carry out our duties as citizens and how we vote in our elections.

God’s beautiful plan of love for creation and for every human life will not tolerate any sort of anti-Christian bigotry. We are called to proclaim the Kingdom of God with love. God’s Kingdom is “a city of love and truth where every life is welcomed, cherished, and defended, especially those lives that need more care and attention, those lives that can be a burden to others. Our new evangelization must seek a society worthy of the sanctity and dignity of the human person, where no one is a stranger, and no one is left behind or thrown away.” (Catholics in the Public Square, Forward, Archbishop Gomez)

Our faith in the One True God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is meant to be expressed in public ways and in the public square in works of mercy by word and example. “Wherever dignity is denied and wherever there is injustice, we are called to defend life. Our society must know that, as long as there are Christians, there should never be a reason for anyone to suffer without hope and help.” (Catholics in the Public Square, Forward, Archbishop Gomez)

Bishop Olmsted wrote in Catholics in the Public Square Revised 4th Edition (which I highly recommend and can be found online): “It is our duty to engage the culture, not run from it. We must place our trust in the Lord and know that by doing His will and speaking the truth in love, God will make all things work for the good. It is also the duty of the Catholic faithful to support courageous people who do this through both our actions and prayers.”

Let us pray that God will continue to raise up faithful Catholics who will be responsible citizens in our country. May we all have the courage to vote to defend life and to preserve the good work Our Lord has begun in us. Let us pray that Our Lord will grant us a generous portion of prudence, honesty, integrity, and lasting peace for His glory and the salvation of our nation.

Fr. Don Kline
Pastor