Sacred Truth Causes Us To Be 'moved By Mercy'

Scores of people from across the Diocese of Evansville gathered at Good Shepherd Parish for the Oct. 20 Respect Life Celebration organized by Catholic Charities. Bishop Charles C. Thompson opened the evening with Mass, and Catholic Relief Services’ President and CEO Dr. Carolyn Woo delivered the keynote during the dinner that followed Mass. The Message covers Dr. Woo’s presentation in a separate story in this issue.

During his homily, Bishop Thompson noted that the U.S. Catholic Bishops Conference’s theme for Respect Life Month this year is “Moved by Mercy.”

“From the moment of conception to natural death, we must not lose perspective of the beauty, goodness and truth of the human person as created in the image of God,” Bishop Thompson said. “It is this sacred truth that causes us to be moved by mercy.

“Moved by mercy, seeking to remain Christ-centered in all things, we commit ourselves to keeping the dignity of the human person and the sacredness of life before us,” he added. “For this very reason, we strive to carry out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, including care for creation, going out to the margins of society, glorifying God and loving neighbor. May our hearts blaze with mercy!”

Bishop Thompson concelebrated Mass with 10 priests of the Diocese of Evansville, including Father Ray Brenner, Father Bernie Etienne, Father Zach Etienne, Father Chris Forler, Father Phil Kreilein, Father Eugene Schmitt, Father Ed Schnur, Father Ted Tempel, Father Tyler Tenbarge and Father Lowell Will.

Deacon Dan DeCastra assisted, and was joined by Deacon Vince Bernardin, Deacon Richard Leibundguth and Deacon Dennie Russell.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York chairs the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, which organizes Respect Life Month activities annually and develops supporting educational materials. “God loves us, treats us with respect, and asks us to do the same with others,” Cardinal Dolan said in his recent statement on Respect Life Month. “Every person is sacred and must be treated with the dignity they deserve.  No one should ever be treated callously or carelessly—everyone should be cherished and protected!”

For more information on Respect Life Month and related activities, visit the USCCB website at http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/.