The Bishop Writes

(From the May 24, 2001 edition of the Inland Register)

These words of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke were spoken as he endured his way of the cross. They are remarkable words of forgiveness as Jesus faces his death. The people executed Jesus. We know the story well.

This last week the news has been filled with stories about Sister Barbara Ann Ford, a Sister of Charity, who was murdered in Guatemala City. The impending execution of Timothy McVeigh also has captured national attention, especially since the implementation of his death sentence has been delayed.

National anger and vindictiveness have been much in evidence surrounding the Oklahoma City bombing, which killed many. Indeed, the crime was horrible, made even more so when the death of children was considered to be justifiable “collateral damage.” The mantra that justice will be served only when McVeigh will be executed has come from a broad spectrum of people, including high government officials.

There is no place in the New Testament or in present teaching of the Church that justifies such a sentiment. On the contrary, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the only justification for capitol punishment is summarized well: “If this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against an unjust aggressor ... Today, in fact ... the cases in which the execution of an offender is an absolute necessity are very rare if practically non-existent” (2306).

One can certainly understand the initial feelings of anger and bitterness of the surviving victims of the tragedy. In a sense, all of us have become victims. But some have moved beyond those feelings with the honest question of how an execution will contribute to their well-being.

Bud Welsh, who lost his daughter in that tragedy, has made the journey from those feelings of anger to a call for forgiveness and reconciliation. That is the true Christian journey of conversion of heart and genuine realization of what will better personal lives and the life of our society. Executions do not break the cycle of violence; they contribute to it.

One hundred sixty-eight people were killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. Some 200,000 people have been killed or have disappeared in Guatemala over the past 25 years. Sister Barbara Ann Ford is the latest murder in which almost assuredly she was the victim, not of random violence, but a planned execution.

About four years ago, Bishop Juan Gerardi, the auxiliary Bishop of Guatemala City, was killed two days after he issued a human rights report on behalf of the bishops of the country. Sister Immaculata, who directs the health clinics in the areas of Novillero, Nahuala, Ixthuacán, and Santa Lucia, had her pickup stolen a few months ago. In November, she and Sister Marie Tolle were stopped and robbed at gunpoint on the Pan American Highway. Father David Baronti has been mugged.

I admire tremendously the people, Sisters, priests, and bishops who live and serve in such difficult circumstances. These are a people who live not with a sense of vengeance but with hope in the future that things can be better, that the Light of Christ will ultimately make the difference. Bishop Cabrera of the Diocese of Santa Cruz del Quiché, where Sister Barbara Ann served, said at her funeral Mass in New York, “we make a commitment to keep burning brightly the light which she lit in our diocese.” He asked forgiveness for the murder, indicating that it was not done by the poor of Guatemala. As a diocese, we offer to her family and to the Sisters of Charity our prayerful sympathy and thanks to God for the gift of her life.

Several months ago I came across a story from the Diocese of Santa Cruz del Quiché, of an incident in the mid-’80s, when the violence was extreme. The bishop couldn’t stay in his diocese, and many people were killed. In one particular village, a group of renegade soldiers came one evening and told the villagers that the top five catechists had to be killed by the next morning or the village would be razed. The five men came forward and offered themselves for the sake of the village. They were killed and became part of the many martyrs from that area who lost their lives because of their faith. The violence continues, but so does the presence of the Church, calling for justice, peace, and reconciliation. The Church has not been unnerved, but has maintained the steady course of the Gospel, carrying at times the heavy cross of violence that Jesus himself bore. We have much to learn in this country about how we address our problem of violence. Unwittingly at times we contribute to it rather than solving it.

The death penalty is not a solution. The light of Christ is. Forgiveness is. Reconciliation is. Hope in the goodness of every person is. Love is. We continue to pray for peace in Guatemala and for peace in our own hearts.

May the Risen Jesus inspire us and may our hearts be open to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Home