We see then that the consequences of the recession have destabilized the provision of essential services, especially for the poor. We realize the unyielding pressures facing public officials. Thus we recognize the responsibility we have as Church to stretch our resources to the limit as we collaborate with others on behalf of the most vulnerable in our midst. Pope Benedict XVI, addressing the whole Church in his letter God is Love (2005), stressed that the work of charity is an imperative, not an optional choice for us. In words that carry unique gravity for us as Bishops, the Pope affirmed: “Love of neighbor, grounded in the love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility for each individual member of the faithful, but it is also a responsibility for the entire ecclesial community at every level: from the local community to the particular Church and to the Church universal in its entirety. As a community, the Church must practice love.” We take seriously this call to love, and it is for this reason we are offering this statement of solidarity.
In light of the extraordinary challenges our state faces and in view of our religious and moral responsibilities, we use this occasion to make a pledge and to issue a plea. Our pledge is that we will do all we can as Bishops to enable our institutions-parishes, Catholic Charities, health care facilities and schools- to continue to do their best in extending help to our neighbors in need. The persons we must serve include not only those defined statistically as poor, but also those recently unemployed who once enjoyed stability, and who constitute the newly fragile as a result of the recession’s impact.
Our plea is that in the decisions facing our elected officials, and in the discussions and actions of all citizens, there be preserved, for the sake of human dignity, a special place and regard for the vulnerable — those forced to choose between heat and food, and between shelter and clothing — those for whom the destination of every dollar is now so consequential.
It is a joy to see that not all Catholic bishops have embraced politicians who have trouble keeping their pants above their knees and whose social darwinism belies their so-called “pro-life” politics. Congratulations to the bishops of Massachusetts for reminding politicos that they might actually have a responsibility to doing something more than insuring their incomes and wealth remains secure.
RE: “and whose social darwinism belies their so-called “pro-life†politics. . . . ”
“social darwinism” according to Dan Crawford = “not wanting the State to expand beyond its Constitutional bounds”
“social darwinism” according to Dan Crawford = not wishing to depend on State distribution of faux “charity” of other people’s money
“social darwinism” according to Dan Crawford = wanting charity to come actually from individuals rather than from a Federal program
Lovely revisionism there of words that do actually mean something, regardless of the secular political redefinitions of DC.
Thank you, Sarah, but I live out in a world where real people have to deal with the real-life policies legislated and administered by people whose contempt for those less fortunate is discernible every minute of every day. I apologize for disturbing your ideological slumber. Please continue to pursue your ideological fantasies.