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Too Many Guns
The killing of a young police officer on duty is a tragedy with many lessons. Last week, we bid adieu to another courageous man senselessly killed in the line of duty – Officer Russel Timoshenko, who was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective.
First, gun control is a national issue and need. Measures taken in New York State are vitiated by lax measures in neighboring states. Guns that are readily available elsewhere make their way through the criminal underground with relative ease into the hands of criminals in our neighborhoods. In the shooting of Timoshenko – and the wounding of his partner P.O. Herman Yan – the three guns used were all traced to Southern states with a history of lax gun laws. In fact, it has been reported that 90% of all guns used in crimes in New York come from outside the state.
Of course, New York’s laws hardly discourage the presence of guns among local people with no need or good intent. The alleged perpetrator of this crime is trying to explain away his presence in that he was in the stolen car only “by accident.” But he was carrying a weapon that was used in the murder.
A higher universal standard should be put in place before guns are sold to anyone who applies for one. We are not against the sale of guns. Indeed, it is a constitutionally protected right to bear arms. But when so many guns are winding up in the hands of people with bad intentions, we have to wonder about how those guns are being sold. Are there background checks? What standard are gun dealers being held to before they can sell a weapon? Are existing gun laws being enforced to the max?
Guns were simply part of the deadly culture of the perpetrators of this crime.
The incident brings home other unfortunate facts of life. There is no “routine” service for a member of the police department, not even a “routine” traffic stop.
There is always the question of who is involved and what else he or she has in mind.
We turn out in great numbers for the funeral of a slain police officer. We respect the badge and the law and order for which it stands. We honor the police officers of this city for the necessary service they provide to the common good.
We keep in mind every day the dedication and commitment of the long blue line. It stands as a tribute to the fallen but also a symbol for the loyalty and respect that we hold for all.
But we need to do more to protect our police officers. There are too many guns on the street. Until their numbers are nil, our peace officers will stand in danger as they go about their duty of protecting us.
Everyone Is Planning
We all know that the Brooklyn Diocese is unique. But we should also realize that we are not so unique that we don’t share the same basic problems as every other diocese in the country.
Take for instance pastoral planning for clergy and parishes to ensure a strong Catholic presence in the future. While some may find it discomforting, the challenge is no different from what faces so many other dioceses in the United States.
As an example, the Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, recently received a new coadjutor archbishop in John Niedenaur. In an interesting interview with The Catholic Spirit, the archdiocesan newspaper, the archbishop says one of his most important priorities will be the pastoral planning process. He promises plenty of consultation and collaboration. Sound familiar? He even suggests that he might appoint regional vicars to help him stay in touch with happenings around the archdiocese. That’s something the Brooklyn Diocese has been using for decades.
In the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the Vicar General and President of the local Seminary Alumni Board organized a forum that engaged clergy and laity around the question “Fewer Priests, More People, What Are We Going to Do?” The idea for the forum was driven by pastoral experience and statistics which show approximately 6,000 international priests come to this country to serve parishes.
Priests come from Mexico, India, Vietnam, Nigeria, Poland and the Philippines. Most have come on their own but others have been recruited. Evidence of local crises range from the young pastor who leaves and is not replaced to parishes that were formerly staffed by up to four priests, to the fact that priests find it difficult to find the time to minister at summer camps or, more importantly, hospitals.
Groups of priests and laity were asked three basic questions:
(1) What are the key things that you as Catholic laity want priests to do? What are your expectations? What are you willing to let your priests let go of?
(2) Can a parish survive without a resident pastor? What are roles you as priests never want to let go of?
(3) If you answer positively to the question of whether a parish can survive without a resident pastor, what elements must be present to make it work?
Priests answered that they looked for a new climate in the celebration of the sacraments, leadership training for the laity, support for vocation efforts and aggressive efforts to improve their role as a teacher in the community.
Both clergy and laity were agreed on the importance of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and the priest’s role in the celebration of both.
The point is that we are not alone in our search for answers to the signs of our times. We urge everyone to participate in the pastoral planning going on their parishes.
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