APRIL 15, 2025

APRIL 15, 2025

I thought that some reflection on this day might give us some relief from the depressingly bad news we are treated to, ad naseum. By way of example: did you know that on this day in 1861 the Civil War started when President Lincoln called for 75,000 to build an army?; did you know that on this day in 1912 the RMS Titanic sunk on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg, killing over 1500 people?; did you know that on this day in 2013 two Russian brothers detonated a bomb at the end on the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring scores of other?; and did you know that in 2019 a severe fire virtually destroyed the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris? Now that should make you feel better. Now you can go back to your news shows which highlight day after day depressing current events which are largely brought on by one man and his cruel sychophants. No, I am not talking about the Bishop of this Diocese, I am talking about the head of our government in Washington. I can already hear the shouting – remember the separation of Church and State! But the separation of Church and State only prevents me, during the time of an election, from telling you who to vote for. Unless we live under the rule of a King or Dictator (and we could possibly be getting close to that), we, in these still United States, are allowed to be critical of all those who were elected to public office (or maybe not elected – Elon Musk, for eample) when they involve themselves in doing things so contrary to our faith. Issues of, or relating to, matters of abortion, provides a clear cut example which most (not all) Catholics clearly understand. But where is the outrage from the bishops and priests of the Catholic community when our Country is taking such a definite turn towards authoritarianism? The Bishops of the U.S. have been roundly criticized for their apparent silence on matters of grave concern. The despotic, dictatorial, and domineering actions that are shown on news stations every day should cause the church to shout out, and condemn those actions as easily as President Biden was condemned for his position on the availability of abortion. Does the Church sit by when other Catholics (Vance, Rubio, Ratcliffe, Duffy, Leavitt, etc.) refuse to speak out against the brutal treatment of 200 Venezuelens hastily, and without proper vetting, are flown to another country and deposited in a jail with a reputation of violence and cruelty? Has our present administration been so successful at demonizing foreigners and immigrants that they are viewed as auxiliary and non-essential parts of the human race? Do the Gestapo like images of individuals being snatched off our streets and deported solely because they possess a political view different from that of the leaders of the country not bother any Catholics? Does the disregard of the law and due process for all individuals not lead our beloved country in a direction it has never successfully taken? Senator Chris Coons from Delaware, a Catholic, has a stunning call to arms for all those who follow Jesus as Lord. In an Opnion piece for the National Catholic Reporter, Coons makes clear the predisposition of Jesus for the poor and disenfranchised, especially the immigrants and foreigners. As a Catholic he is appalled that more people have not spoken about the destroying of USAID, the organization which was responsible for preventing hunger, sickness, and suffering for millions of people around the world. Coons is clearly saddened that too few people are following the two greatest commandments of Jesus, all the while they follow the lead of Elon Musk, who has said “the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy.” We must speak out for those who do not have a voice and avoid the catastrophe looming in the distance. Before I end this, I would like to end as I began. Nineteen years ago on Thursday, April 17th, I was made the official pastor of St. Isabel Parish by Msgr. McNamara on behalf of the good bishop, John Nevins. The Mass and signing of papers took place in the Church Hall where we retreated to after Hurricane Charley. One of my fondest momeories of that day, was the presence of my mother, who would be taken from us some seven months later. The photos show Mom and I smiling as though we didn’t have a care in the world, and luckily God hid from our eyes what lay ahead. Following Mom’s passing, we would face some difficult losses, and Mom was spared the grief. I am so happy Mom was also spared witnessing the cruel and grossly unfair treatment I have received from my present bishop, for it would have caused her unnecessary pain, pain which my brother, and sister, and their families can testify too. As best as I can, on Thursday I will try and focus on the happy memory – all of the other are too crushing to bear.