“You are my friends if you do what I command you.”
Jn 15:14
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
In recent homilies Bishop Patrick J. Zurek has put forth the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #206 in that regard:
CHAPTER SIX
DIALOGUE AND FRIENDSHIP IN SOCIETY
SOCIAL DIALOGUE FOR A NEW CULTURE
The BASIS of Consensus
206. The solution is not relativism.
Lilaben Gautambhai Modi, 80, wearing an oxygen mask, sits inside an ambulance as she waits to enter a COVID-19 hospital for treatment, amid the spread of the disease in Ahmedabad, India, May 5, 2021. As India faces a massive surge in new infections and deaths caused by COVID-19, Pope Francis said he was praying for all those affected by the huge health emergency. (CNS photo/Amit Dave, Reuters)
Under the guise of tolerance, relativism ultimately leaves the interpretation of moral values to those in power, to be defined as they see fit.
Pharmaceutical companies, conversely, were not pleased with the Biden administration’s action. One industry leader said it would undermine the global response to the pandemic and could prompt the production of counterfeit vaccines.
“In the absence of objective truths or sound principles other than the satisfaction of our own desires and immediate needs… we should not think that political efforts or the force of law will be sufficient…
When the culture itself is corrupt, and objective truth and universally valid principles are no longer upheld, then laws can only be seen as arbitrary impositions or obstacles to be avoided”.[201]
Catholics and all people of good will are urged to contact their state senators and the Governor to support policy and legislative measures that uphold the safety and wellbeing of all persons in our communities and to oppose HB 1927.
Oppose HB 1927 and a culture of violence, Letter signed by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek and all Bishops of Texas
Today my prayer is that if we are friends of Jesus in the Diocese of Amarillo we will show it by listening to his commands through our shepherds; and not become the slaves of relativism which keeps us from extending the defense perimeter of the unborn outward from the doors of the abortion clinics!
