While the House passed a health care bill that prevents
the federal government from funding elective abortions, and includes
provisions making health care affordable and accessible for all, the
Senate rejected this and passed a bill that requires federal funds to
help subsidize and promote health plans that cover elective abortions,
while forcing purchasers to pay directly for other people’s abortions.
These two bills must now be combined into one bill that both the House
and Senate will vote on in final form. As bishops we continue to
strongly oppose abortion funding, while calling for critical
improvements in conscience protection, affordability for the poor and
vulnerable, and access to health care for immigrants. If conscience
protection is not present or abortion funding is permitted in the
combined bill put forward to Congress, Catholics cannot in good
conscience support the bill. Again, I encourage you to read the
Catechism of the Catholic Church on conscience and on the formation
of conscience (1776-1802). I urge this most especially for Catholics
involved in politics, regardless of the political party to which they
belong. There are many places that reference conscience in the
Catechism, but this section is the most helpful. For ease of finding
this section of the Catechism, I have had it placed on our diocesan
website under “conscience”. (See www.fargodiocese.org/conscience).
Third, during this time of year we
begin the 2010 God’s Gift Appeal, which is covered in this month’s New
Earth. I enjoy my visits to the deaneries and look forward to seeing
many of you at the gatherings. I am grateful to you for your support of
the annual appeal. Last year’s appeal, though we did not make 100
percent of goal, went well considering all that we faced in the diocese
with the struggling economy and the floods in Jamestown, Valley City,
Fargo and surrounding areas. The greatest challenge is to have more of
the faithful participate in the appeal. We have to get out the good news
of all that is accomplished by the generosity of the faithful.
Finally, the Lenten season begins
Wednesday, Feb. 17. The great gift of the season is the call to
conversion through a deeper receptivity to the love of Jesus. Our acts
of penance must be grounded in our love for the Lord and not the desire
“to win” his love for us. The Lord’s love, and our placing our faith in
his love, is what brings about a change of heart and helps us to live
according to the plan of God. Only love can truly provide us with the
grace and strength we need to live our lives after God’s own holiness
and to follow his commands to “love one another as I have loved you”
(John 13:4), “pray for your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) and forgive others
so that the Father will forgive us (Matthew 6: 13-14). My prayer for you
as your bishop is that your faith in the love of the Father, Jesus, and
the Holy Spirit for you may continue to grow and deepen. With the
apostles, pray to Jesus, “Lord, increase our faith” (Luke 17: 5).
May our Lord bless you and your families and fill you
with his peace!
