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Viva La Bully Pulpit!
President Theodore Roosevelt famously referenced the White House as a “bully pulpit” – a terrific platform from which to advocate an agenda persuasively. Now Pope Benedict XVI is certainly no bully. But his gentle presence among us is proving to have packed a considerably persuasive punch, a shot in the arm of the Church in the United States, which perhaps may prove to have been a turning point.
Prior to the visit, according to the findings of a recent survey by the Pew Forum, 80% of Americans, including two-thirds of the almost 70 million Catholics in this country, said they knew nothing or almost nothing about the pope. Following the papal trip, the picture appears to have changed significantly, at least among Catholics.
Data released from a nationwide survey of American Catholics by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion shows, for example, a 12% jump – from 70% before to 82% after – among self-identified practicing Catholics who describe Benedict XVI positively as a spiritual leader. Among non-practicing Catholics, the proportion went from 62% before the visit to 79% afterward — a 17% jump. A majority of Catholics, 54%, said they were more in touch with their spiritual values as a result of the pope’s visit, and 41% said they were more likely to vote in the November elections. As a result of the trip, 64% of Catholics said they had a better understanding of the Church’s position on important issues. Half of those polled say they are more likely to make family a greater part of their lives, while nearly 40% say they are more likely to become more active in their community or church.
Actions must always test words, so opportunity knocks again at the door of a sometimes scattered American flock bold enough to follow the example of its shepherd by taking the Gospel on the road – literally. If more Catholics are saying that the pope’s message motivates them to become more active in their church and community, then this is no time for whining like Lot’s wife!
For starters, what better way to charge our spiritual batteries than to reflect directly on the Holy Father’s hope-filled inspirations, which can be found via www.thetablet.org. The New York State Catholic Conference website publishes updates and timely action calls on issues of statewide and national importance, especially in this election year. Catholics seeking to become more informed – and to be able better to inform others – should at least visit www.nyscatholic.org and maybe bookmark it as a favorite.
In his Yankee Stadium homily, our Holy Father lovingly reminded us that to pray “Thy Kingdom Come” sincerely means “being constantly alert for the signs of its presence, and working for its growth in every sector of society.” This includes “rejecting a false dichotomy between faith and political life, since, as the Second Vatican Council put it, ‘there is no human activity – even in secular affairs – which can be withdrawn from God’s dominion’ (Lumen Gentium, 36). It means working to enrich American society and culture with the beauty and truth of the Gospel, and never losing sight of that great hope which gives meaning and value to all the other hopes which inspire our lives.” The audacity of the Gospel is America’s true hope!
A friendly critic of ours once quipped that “The Tablet writes in sermons.” But our Catholic pulpits in the United States, so far as we know, have not yet been accused of taking the mission “to enrich American society and culture with the beauty and truth of the Gospel” over the top. Till Kingdom come then, viva la bully pulpit!
Congratulations, Jubilarians
In a special pullout section this week, we celebrate the 60th, 50th, 40th and 25th anniversaries of ordinations of our diocesan priests. We salute them and we thank each and every one of them for their years of service.
It’s not easy spending 60 or even 25 years in the same job. But for these men, priesthood has been and continues to be more than a job. It is a calling to special service. It is a challenge to bridge the chasm between God and the human family.
We count on our priests to be there when we need them. When a loved one is ill or dying, we rely on the special prayers and words of a priest to console us. When we celebrate a wedding or a baptism, we seek out a priest to perform the ceremony.
Perhaps, there is an accident. Someone says, “Call a priest!” The troops are sent overseas. Is a priest going with them? I’m having a problem with my marriage or my children; I’ll seek out the wisdom of a priest.
When we attend Mass on Sunday, we presume a priest will be there to celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus with us. Sometimes we just take it for granted that a priest will be there.
These days, the numbers of priests are fewer. But men still hear the call and they still respond.
The men whom we celebrate this week with our special anniversary section are men who many years ago answered the same call. They responded and have persevered over a significant period of time and they deserve our thanks.
Our priests should not be taken for granted. We cannot assume that they always will be there in the same numbers that we have been used to.
To these men, we say thank you for what you have done for God’s people and most especially for what you have meant to the local Church here in Brooklyn and Queens.
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