Category Archives: Pope Francis

Pope Francis World Day of Peace

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Pope Francis has just issued his message for World Day of Peace on Jan. 1.

“All who accept the life of Christ and live in him acknowledge God as Father and  give themselves completely to him, loving him above all things. The reconciled  person sees in God the Father of all, and, as a consequence, is spurred on to  live a life of fraternity open to all. In Christ, the other is welcomed and  loved as a son or daughter of God, as a brother or sister, not as a stranger,  much less as a rival or even an enemy. In God’s family, where all are sons and  daughters of the same Father, and, because they are grafted to Christ, sons  and daughters in the Son, there are no “disposable lives”. All men and  women enjoy an equal and inviolable dignity. All are loved by God. All have  been redeemed by the blood of Christ, who died on the Cross and rose for all.  This is the reason why no one can remain indifferent before the lot of our  brothers and sisters.”

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A Priest’s Letter to His Bishop

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November 6, 2013
The Most Reverend Robert J. Cunningham
The Chancery
240 E. Onondaga Street,
Syracuse, New York 13201 
Dear Bishop,
Hope this letter finds you well.  My purpose in writing you is to share with you my feelings and thoughts about this weekend’s second collection for the Archdiocese Military Services. Those who have experienced the trauma of war certainly do need our assistance for their full recovery, as so many do suffer with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  I have had the opportunity to both read as well as attend a workshop by Edward Tick, a Clinical Psychotherapist, who has done extensive work with veterans and PTSD.  The violence of war, as Tick notes, is a major trauma to the soul that no drug can effectively heal.  As so many veterans say “War is Hell”, raises the question, “Why as a faith community, by our silence and lack of conscience formation regarding war and the military, send our sons and daughters to hell/war?”
It is very apparent why this weekend has been selected for the collection as to coincide with Veterans’ Day.  For us, in our Catholic faith, the day also is the feast of St. Martin of Tours.  His story of conversion centuries ago is still a challenge for us today as Catholics.  Two themes stand out:  the encounter with Christ in the form of the poor, and the conviction that the way of Christ is the way of nonviolence.  Upon his conversion, he saw his military life as totally being incompatible with the Gospel and with life in Christ.  This insight prompted Martin to present himself to his military commander to request a discharge from the army.  “I am a soldier of Christ, and it is not lawful for me to fight,” he said.
St. Martin of Tours’ life and words seem to resemble very closely a talk this past summer by Pope Francis.  He said, “The true force of the Christian is the force of truth and of love, which means rejecting all violence.  Faith and violence are incompatible!  Faith and violence are incompatible! The Christian is not violent, but (s) he is strong.  And, with what strength?  That of meekness, the force of meekness, the force of love.”  
It seems as though two competing allegiances are crying for our attention.  To which do we honor – the one that upholds militarism or the one that proclaims the Gospel of Life? 
The Eucharist is the celebration of Christ’s non-violent and unconditional love.  It was on the night of the First Eucharist that Jesus said to put away the sword.  And then the following day, the Non-violent One, did not succumb to violence, revenge or retribution  but showed the power of non-violent love over hate.
These are challenging times for us as a nation and Church, as we confront issues that put the lives of so many people at risk.  We have to ask ourselves as Church leaders, “How are we to preach the Gospel of peace in a time of endless wars?  How are we to preach the Gospel of non-violence in a country immersed in rampant militarism?”  These questions challenge us as a Church to the spiritual and moral leadership we need to give our people and nation. 
For these reasons of conscience, I will be withholding the materials related to the AMS Collection for this coming weekend. I pray that we can authentically become a Church of non-violent love, that by our witness we will help lessen war and violence in our world.
Fraternally in Christ, 
Fr. Timothy J. Taugher,
Pastor
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish
Binghampton, New York 13901

▶ The Canticle of St. Francis

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The Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi is October 4. Here is a link to a speech Pope Francis gave yesterday on the occasion.

“Let us respect creation, let us not be instruments of destruction! Let us respect each human being. May there be an end to armed conflicts which cover the earth with blood; may the clash of arms be silenced; and everywhere may hatred yield to love, injury to pardon, and discord to unity,” said Pope Francis.

I hope this song helps you to call into your heart the spirit of St. Francis!

Pope Francis to the International Meeting For Peace | ZENIT

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In a special way we all say forcefully, continually, that there can be no religious justification for violence, in whatever way it manifests itself. As Pope Benedict XVI stressed two years ago, on the 25th anniversary of the Assisi meeting, we must do away with every form of religiously motivated violence, and watch together so that the world will not fall prey to that violence contained in every project of civilization that is based on “no” to God.

Pope Francis’ Address to the Participants International Meeting For Peace by the Sant’Egidio Community | ZENIT – The World Seen From Rome.

Pope Francis rallies 100,000 for antiwar peace vigil

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Last week: 100,000 answer Pope’s call, fill St. Peter’s Square for Syria peace vigil.

Question: Was it a “peace vigil”? Pope Francis said: “Violence and war are never the way…” That sounds like an antiwar rally to me. “May the noise of weapons cease!…War never again! Never again war!” That’s a protest in my book. Here is the full speech.

Quick flashback to ten years ago: Iraq War Ten Years On. Will “our” representatives be stopped this time around or will we find ourselves hurtling headlong into another “military conflict,” despite worldwide protest? Yes, pray. Pray for peace. Then oppose the war loudly in whatever way you can.