The Bishop Writes

(From the Sept. 12, 2002 edition of the Inland Register)

Little did any of us realize a year ago how great would be the effect of the tumultuous events of Sept. 11 – a terrible effect felt in the United States and throughout the entire world scene. The crashes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Pennsylvania field have given us stories of tragedy, but also have given us their complex and inspiring stories. It’s pretty clear now that our country will never be the same. The world scene has changed as well. Our modern day’s linkage of mobility and communication, such a potential blessing, has also made possible the emergence of groups that strive to further their causes of ideology and hatred.

For decades we have witnessed violence in various forms in our country, but nothing can compare to the devastating blow that the soul of this nation experienced as the WTC towers came tumbling down like a house of cards. They were symbols of the prosperity and invincibility of the world’s only superpower. In one agonizing day, we became painfully aware – perhaps even reminded — of our fragility and vulnerability. In the midst of devastation and destruction, powerful, inspiring stories of heroism and self-sacrifice touched us all. We grieved. We were especially generous and caring. I remember riding in an airport shuttle just a few days afterwards, and for an hour or so those few of us in the van talked about the event in a personal sharing that was unusual in its depth, as if we had know one another for a long time.

The community of a nation gelled quickly as we realized that all of us were in this together. A strong sense of the common good was bolstered by those who had readily given their lives in service of others. Death was tragic, but it wasn’t the final word or the final state. The spirituality of a nation surfaced stronger on that day and in the ensuing weeks in a manner that we don’t normally experience. The recognition of fragility and vulnerability has a way of doing that. For all of us on our journey of faith, the admission of our dependence upon a gracious and loving God needs to be a lifestyle that humbly accepts the words of Jesus: “You know neither the day nor the hour.”

The degree and intensity of the hatred of the terrorists have left us appalled and shocked. The terrorist acts were terribly wrong and immoral. So is the terrorism that is taking place in many parts of the world. One act of vengeance tries to outdo the other with tragic consequences. We now have the opportunity as never before to look to the root causes of violence and terrorism that take many different forms. Lack of justice, oppression, and greed are some of the evils that must be addressed in our nation and in the world community. Obviously, it would be nanve to think that root causes will be removed immediately.

Perhaps the events of the past year will give greater urgency in searching out solutions for the building of peace and solidarity within the human family. Lingering, deep-seated hostilities demonstrate the sickness of the human soul. Great skill, insight and perseverance will be needed as we look for long-term solutions and conversion of heart. St. Paul reminds us: For followers of Jesus, the kingdom of God is a matter of justice, peace, and joy. That vision should focus our prayer, energies and hope as we look to the future.

Finally, as so often happens with tragedies of life, our experience of them will help make us stronger. I hope the events of 9/11 will provide the opportunity for making us a stronger and better nation.

I hope, too, the same change for the better will happen in regard to the scandals in the corporate world and the sexual abuse issue in the Catholic Church. Humbled, we can go forth searching for a better world in which to live, where everyone will be respected as a fellow brother and sister in Jesus, and where justice will reign. For us as Roman Catholics, I pray this experience of pain and hurt about the sexual abuse question will lead to a stronger Church and safer environment for our children. In our diocese with the establishment of a new sexual abuse review committee, we are certainly committed to that cause.

May God bless all of you and give you peace.

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