Evening Prayer Services Closes

Bishop Charles C. Thompson led evening prayer July 3 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville to close the diocesan observance of the 2015 Fortnight for Freedom. During his homily, the bishop noted that this year’s observance – with the theme “Freedom to Bear Witness” – nears the mark of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that redefinied marriage to include same-sex unions.

“Across the Diocese of Evansville we will continue to uphold the dignity of every human person without regard to sexual orientation” he said.  “We also will continue to uphold the dignity, sanctity and uniqueness of the covenant of marriage in accordance with Catholic teaching.”

Bishop Thompson also talked about the need for all Catholics to consider ways that they can serve as builders – in the image of St. Thomas the Apostle, whose feast day is July 3.

“On this Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle,” the bishop said, “we recall the transformation process that enabled St. Thomas’ doubting to give way to faith when he saw the risen Lord Jesus Christ.  In faith, he would go on to proclaim the Gospel by personal witness, founding the Church in south India. The missionary priests from India now serving in the Diocese of Evansville often speak fondly and devoutly about the honor given to St. Thomas in their native country.  Interestingly enough, St. Thomas is mentioned as being a patron of builders. 

“One of the titles or attributes often associated with bishops and priests is that of being ‘bridge builders,’” Bishop Thompson continued.  “How appropriate in this time to consider what this means for each member of the Church … to give of oneself in the role of service to the great task of building up the Body of Christ in this way.

“As a bridge builder, the Church, like its ministers, must provide a sense of relevance in bridging this divide between excessive individualism and the common good.  It is through such bridge building that we link human conscience to moral truths concerning religious liberty, dignity of persons, sanctity of marriage and sacredness of family. Any bridge builder, like St. Thomas the Apostle, must be grounded in the joy of the Gospel as missionary disciples of faith and hope.

“Ultimately,” Bishop Thompson added, “we draw strength and inspiration from the Eucharist as the ultimate sign – the source and summit – of bridge building.  In Jesus Christ, the eternal Word made Flesh, we encounter the divine bridge of grace that connects us to God and one another.  He, who is our hope and salvation, provides us with the necessary material of faith to build bridges of authentic dialogue, mutual respect, understanding and right reasoning to transform and be transformed by the very mercy of God.”