The Bishop Writes

(From the Nov. 12, 1998 edition of the Inland Register)

A couple of weeks ago, the priests of the diocese gathered for our annual convocation at Sandpoint, Idaho. This coming together has been a tradition now for quite a few years as the priests and I receive input from a presenter, reflect, and have some social time together.

Father Ray Carey of the Archdiocese of Portland gave the presentations this year. His talks focused on what he called the eight icons of diocesan priesthood. One of those icons was the "reverencer" of persons.

We have just passed though the month of October, which has been designated in the Catholic Church as Respect Life Month. Priests (and the bishop too) should give an exemplary example of being a "reverencer" of persons. However, all of us in the Church are called to a profound respect for every person. We know in our Catholic tradition that everyone is made in the image and likeness of God.

Several recent incidents in our country, one of those in the City of Spokane, should leave us unsettled about the quality of respect for the life of the human person in our society. The examples I wish to mention are the young homosexual man killed in Laramie, Wy.; the young man who received hate mail in Spokane because he was homosexual; and finally, the doctor in Buffalo who was shot and killed through his kitchen window because he had been performing abortions. These incidents challenge us to examine our own attitudes and challenge all of our society to have respect for every person, no matter the background or human condition.

We may disagree with their lifestyle or the decisions they make about life, but we never have reason to show disrespect for them as persons.

Constant reflection upon our attitudes toward those who have a homosexual orientation is very important. There has been and continues to be much cruelty and harshness in our society expressed toward those who are homosexuals. They are the butts of jokes and the objects of ridicule and sick humor. Some are rejected outright just because they are homosexuals. Such immature and irresponsible behavior certainly has no place in our Catholic tradition. Such behavior should have no place in our society as well.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is very clear on this matter: "The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. They do not choose their homosexual condition; for most of them it is a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in this regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition (2358)."

Finally, the catechism says that homosexual persons are called to chastity as we all are.

Over the years, parents of homosexual children have talked to me about their own pain and the hurt and rejection their children have experienced because of their orientation. Some of that hurt and pain has been caused by people within the Church. I have had homosexual persons visit me who have been rejected by their families. Recently, the United States Catholic bishops issued a pastoral statement titled "Always Our Children." The Holy See requested a few minor corrections to be made which further refined the document. The statement is compassionate and consoling.

The incident in Buffalo was tragic. The violence of the murder of the doctor, added to the violence of abortion, is immoral and is no solution. To the contrary, such anonymous terrorism terribly violates respect and reverence for the human person.

This kind of violence has increased in recent years and has done a tremendous disservice to the respect human life movement. We must break the cycle of violence by radically giving witness to reverence for all of human life.

I mentioned earlier the icon of a priest as "reverencer" of the human person. So too should all of us in the Church strive to be such an icon. Media within and without the Church should also be called to this same standard.

I’m convinced that if this icon is lived well, we would see a considerable change within the Church. We could be a more effective leaven within society as well. May God give us the grace, wisdom, and courage to accept this challenge.

Thanksgiving Day will soon be upon us. I want to express to all of you in the diocese my deep gratitude and appreciation for your commitment, generosity, and involvement in so many ways with the Church. Your continuing prayers for me and my ministry as bishop are also deeply appreciated.

May God grant you peace and joy.

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