Bishop Thompson Discusses Courage With Coraggio Group
The November Coraggio gathering featured Bishop Charles C. Thompson speaking about the cardinal virtue of courage. Bishop Thompson’s homily about courage at Source and Summit 2012 inspired the founding of Coraggio in July of that year.
While he was a third-year theology student at St. Meinrad Archabbey, Bishop Thompson and the other seminarians heard monthly presentations from Father Harry Hagan. The topic for the year was courage. Bishop Thompson said that as Father Hagan entered the room each month, the seminarians would pound on their tables and chant “courage” repeatedly. Father Hagan offered monthly presentations in subsequent years on topics such as joy, peace and love. Father Hagan later admitted to Bishop Thompson that the seminarians in third-year theology failed to pound the tables and chant like they did for courage.
“Courage is the one thing everybody wants,” Bishop Thompson told the group. He went on to say that in spite of wanting courage, most people believe that they lack courage. The opposite of courage, Bishop Thompson elaborated, is cowardice. Bishop Thompson confided that when he faced tough decisions regarding strategic planning in the diocese, some people called him courageous. He said he did not feel particularly courageous, but rather that he would feel like a coward if he failed to act.
“Courage is ultimately an act of love,” Bishop Thompson said. This act of love provides strength for facing trials and helping to alleviate feelings of fear. It bears fruit in the lives of Catholics when it is received as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit during the sacrament of Confirmation. “Confirmation is the completion of baptism,” Bishop Thompson added.
Bishop Thompson said the saints provide great examples of living the virtue of courage. When Mary said yes to the archangel Gabriel at the Annunciation, that was an act of courage. When St. Maria Goretti suffered martyrdom rather than submit to her attacker, she showed a level of courage beyond her years.
In their relationships with others, Catholics must act courageously, but also show compassion and civility to the people around them. Bishop Thompson noted the example of Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York when dealing with the government regarding Catholic concerns about religious freedom in the Affordable Care Act. Bishop Thompson said that Cardinal Dolan refuses to burn bridges, but that he speaks truth with compassion and civility. “We’re speaking the truth to save souls,” Bishop Thompson explained.
Bishop Thompson also pointed to the words and examples set by recent popes as living courageously. Blessed Pope John Paul II often used the phrase “Be not afraid” in speeches. Pope Francis remains faithful to Church teaching, but uses his unique style to call Catholics to not be afraid to be gentle and merciful. While modern culture often sees gentleness and mercy as weak qualities, Bishop Thompson said they show courage. “It takes courage to live our Catholic faith,” he said. “Being Christian is countercultural.”
Coraggio meets the second Friday of each month at Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral. It is open to all Catholics in the Evansville area ages 18-35. The meeting on Dec. 13 will feature Father Tony Ernst speaking about discipleship. For more information, email coraggioevansville@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/coraggioevansville
