US Bishops' President Archbishop Broglio at Assembly says "Certainly, we pray that the Prince of Peace might enlighten those who determine the fate of the nations." FULL TEXT
Presidential Address (November 2023) Your Eminence Cardinal Pierre Your Eminences,
Dear Brother Bishops,
Sisters and Brothers all,
“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.” (Rev. 2:7).
As you know, several of us spent the month of October at the Plenary Assembly of the Synod
on Synodality. Later in the agenda, you will have an opportunity to hear from some of those who
participated. It was certainly an opportunity to interact and speak about many themes from
representatives from around the world. Different cultures and different perceptions always enrich. It
is important, however, to listen to each other.
Personally, I saw many old friends and met new ones. I was also painfully reminded of the
needs of so many younger Churches. It would be a delight to help all of them, but sadly we do not
always have the means or the structures to meet those needs. The Synod did stress how much we can
work together as parts of the Body of Christ.
(Speech starts at the 44:33 Mark)
At the same time, I reflected on the many synodal realities that already exist in the Church in
the United States. The collegial atmosphere that characterizes these assemblies, the excellent
consideration and interaction that typifies the work of the National Advisory Council, the work of
diocesan pastoral councils, presbyteral councils, review boards, school board and so many other
organizations come readily to mind.
One might also think about the committees of this conference. At least those on which I have
served, the interaction among bishops, staff, and consultants have been active, healthy, and extremely
useful. While it is true that only the bishop members vote, they do so after a robust exchange among
all of the participants.
That is not to say that we do not have to grow and open ourselves to new possibilities, but we
recognize and build on what is already present. We open our hearts to the action of the Holy Spirit
and we listen to that voice.
Certainly, we pray that the Prince of Peace might enlighten those who determine the fate of
the nations. We look out on our world and see so much armed conflict. We prayed for peace yesterday
morning at our opening Mass and I know that we are ready to advocate for a lasting peace.
Our thoughts turn readily to the Holy Land, sacred to all three monotheistic religions. We
recognize and defend the right of Israel to exist and to enjoy a place among the Nations. At the same
time we know that the Palestinians, who represent the majority of Christians in the Holy Land—while
still being a minority, have a right to a land that is their own. The Holy See has long advocated for
that right and we also plead for them.
We know that Lebanon has long shouldered the burden of millions of refugees. They too are
the object of our prayers and advocacy. Syria also suffers an extreme situation, but it has almost been
forgotten in the deliberations of the powerful. Our country has enforced sanctions, but they mean that
the ruling class still has what it needs and the poor cannot find fuel to cook a meal or propel a vehicle.
There, too, we pray and we urge a just solution.
Certainly, the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre, the Catholic Near East Welfare
Association, the Bethlehem Hospital, and other charities make concrete our commitment to those who
suffer and also involve Catholics in our Nation in a personal way in the suffering in the Holy Land
and among her neighbors.
So also we join our Ukrainian sisters and brothers in their struggle against unjust aggression.
Our prayer has been coupled with humanitarian relief and collaboration with both organizations of
Caritas in the war-torn nation. We are grateful for the presence of our brother bishop in our midst.
Peace seems so far away, but we continue to pray and to keep our national leaders aware of the plight
of the innocent in Ukraine. Pope Francis urged us again Sunday in the Angelus not to forget those
who suffer in that martyred land.
Unfortunately, it would be easy to continue to list the areas of conflict in our world. It touches
the African continent and beyond. Cardinal Bo from Myanmar, with whom I spent some days in a
small group at the Synod, spoke about the delicate nature of their situation and the kid gloves that
should be used to speak about it.
I do not want to forget the oppression against the Church in Nicaragua and the imprisonment
of Bishop Alvarez there. At the same time, the situation in Haiti is still a concern despite the passage
of time. Some wonder if any solution is possible.
It is good that the Committee on International Justice and Peace works tirelessly at least to
keep the bishops abreast of the developments in these situations and to encourage within the limits of
what is possible avenues of dialogue and assistance.
As Successors of the Apostles we participate in the mandate that Christ gave at the Ascension:
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt. 28:19-
20a).
It continues to be a daunting task. We strive to meet people and find ways to invite them to
participate in the life of the community of faith. I think of the many new ways that have been
discovered in our days. The archdiocese entrusted to me has been blessed by the ministry of FOCUS
missionaries at four of the service academies and the impact has been extremely positive. Their ability
to walk with the students, spark their faith life, and accompany them to a deeper level of faith
commitment is extraordinary.
I know that there are many other models that contribute to the new evangelization and do not
pretend to list or even to know them all. NET ministries, Reach More, Evangelical Catholic, and
Formed readily come to mind, but I am sure that there are others. There are also many tried and true
experiences such as the Legion of Mary, the Serrans, and Cursillo. We all know that more can be
done and we are making a national effort with the Eucharistic Revival to call our daughters and sons
home to the fullness of life in Christ in the sacraments. On behalf of all of the bishops I thank all of
those who strive to instill vibrancy, commitment, and renewal into our faith communities while
reaching out to the peripheries at the same time.
On the front lines of these efforts are our committed priests on fire with the Gospel. They are
our first collaborators and we are so dependent on their tireless efforts. It is good to see their
contribution to preaching the Gospel and reaching out to those who still have to hear about Jesus
Christ. They motivate so much of the charitable outreach of the Church and the mission to preach the
good news.
We are also encouraged by young men preparing in the seminaries. Not all of them are filled
to overflowing like Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, but I continue to be impressed by these fine
seminarians who commit themselves to knowing the Lord more deeply and to being men for others.
They are a sign of hope for the future.
We try to support one another in this commitment to preaching the Gospel. We are unified in
our commitment to Jesus Christ and His Gospel. We may approach the mission in different ways, but
we are convinced that our mandate is to bring everyone to an experience of Jesus Christ, which leaves
no one indifferent or the same.
May our time together, a rather full agenda, and the many opportunities for fraternal
exchanges enrich each of us and send us home with renewed zeal for the mission we have in common.
Perhaps we can return emboldened by the example of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, as Archbishop
Sartain urged us to do in his reflection yesterday morning. She never really let anything stop her.
“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the Churches.” (Rev. 2:7).
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