April 5, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are bombarded today by a culture that rejects the intellectual tradition of Western civilization. New theories are readily accepted, usually without question if they fit into a progressive agenda. I have often said that the Catholic Church can handle any new theory, so long as it is critiqued by Catholic Teachings. The teachings include Christian anthropology; the foundational aspects of our faith based upon the view of the truth of the human person as revealed by reason and divine revelation.
Trying to reshape human beings violates the understanding that man is made in the image and likeness of God, “Imago Dei.” We suffer from the sin of Adam and Eve. The longing to be God and exercise control over our lives. But first God must be removed. Modern society is trying to replace God with a false image of man. One of the wonderful gifts of the Church is the intellectual tradition established by some of the greatest Christian thinkers who embodied in their thought the “truth” of teachings which lead us to salvation.
It is remarkable a that man/woman can be anything they desire, so long as they maintain a blind eye to biology, science and reason. We have been involved in these culture wars for decades. But the current trend seems to be more aggressive than previous generations. There is a loss of objective truth, the concept of freedom is associated with personal license and religious thought is characterized as repressive. But despite the obstacles, the truth will come out.
As we approach the Easter season, the stone before the tomb could not suppress the truth of the resurrection. However, we do need champions to proclaim that truth.
For 26 years, the Church was blessed with the teachings of Pope John Paul II, now St. John Paul II. His works grounded the teachings of the Church and provided insight for scholars and teachers for years to come. Pope Benedict was one of the greatest theologians of this modern era and warned of the dangers inherent in our modern culture. Their teachings have built upon the tradition of Aquinas, Augustine, the Church Fathers and others. They are modern voices that take seriously their Catholic Identity.
This past Thursday (March 31) at the Brookfield Conference Center, the Pallium Lecture presented a forum for a presentation by Ryan T. Anderson. The title of his lecture was “Religious Liberty is Important but It’s Not Enough.” Although religious freedom is a cherished right and the very first listed in the Bill of Rights, it is truth proclaimed by the teachings that must also be protected. Truth proclaimed by those outside of the faith, and those who embrace the truth embedded in their conscience.
It is remarkable to me that, in this society that values free expression of thought, someone like Ryan Anderson could be banned by social media. Is it the fear of the forcefulness of his presentation or the simple reasonableness of the truth? We need to hear the counter positions to those presented by our social media.
This past Monday at St. Francis de Sales Seminary, Archbishop Charles Chaput presented the “Ethics Lecture” with the topic, “Things Worth Dying For.” He has been a voice of clarity in the presentation of the Church’s teachings. Well-known for speaking truth to the most difficult issues, Archbishop Chaput, former Archbishop of Philadelphia, has been a voice of reason and clarity at various meetings of the USCCB. I and others have benefitted greatly from his insights. In his talk, he critiqued the current American culture, yet at the same time challenging his Catholic audience to witness their baptismal commitment to proclaim Christ, engage the Church and serve the poor.
Our hope is and has always been in Christ. Let us stand before the mirror of life and examine whether or not we truly LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee