Greetings and happy Veteran’s Day! There are 18 million living veterans in the United States, and 4.3 million of them (23%) are Catholic, including military priest chaplains. Catholics also make up 23% of the general population. So Catholics have served in the armed forces at an equal rate with everyone else. That’s impressive and something to be proud of!
I want to take the opportunity also to note the many ways Catholics contribute to our nation. Here's a few examples:
I think it’s important to know and be proud of our many contributions to the common good! Catholics have always been on the front lines, in the military and in service to those most in need.
There's a troubling movement these days to target Catholic institutions for restrictions and punishment because we won't conform to mainstream views on sex, gender, and life in the womb. Most recently, the city of Philadelphia shut down Catholic Charities’ adoption program. The case is now before the Supreme Court. Such litigation is expensive and distracting. Catholics have shed blood like everyone else to defend our freedoms. Like everyone else, the free exercise of our religious and social mission ought to be upheld by every level of government.
As we enter soon into a new cycle of government, please join me in praying for all those in government service. With St. Paul, let us pray “for all those who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful life, in all godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
I hope now that the election is over, we’ll give ourselves an opportunity to think about how we relate to one another, what we think of each other, and how we judge one another. Many Catholics have expressed concern about Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris’ past actions toward Catholic institutions: for example, forcing pro-life pregnancy centers in California to distribute literature about where to get an abortion. I also share that concern. But I firmly believe our first civil duty, after obedience to God, is to have a spirit of goodwill as we try to work together for the common good. We need to stop just demonizing and attacking one another. Let our attitude first be one of listening and cooperation rather than hurling public accusations and profanity at one another on social media!
St. Paul puts it this way to Titus: "Remind [your flock] to be obedient, to be open to every good enterprise. They are to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, exercising all graciousness toward everyone" (Titus 3:1-3).
To the extent that our goodwill is reciprocated and our rights upheld even in disagreements, there will be a spirit of peace, dialogue, and cooperation. If it be that Catholic institutions are coercively targeted, we'll have to defend our freedoms peacefully, and hopefully bring about reconciliation. May we always be grateful for the sacrifices of veterans who've defended them on our behalf!
Peace and prayers to you all,
Father Ryan