| Homily
for the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time: July 9, 2006
Given by the Most
Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation
in Stockton.
After the John Jay College published, at the
request of the American Bishops, the study on the extent of
child abuse by Catholic clergy, it was thought by many that
the Catholic Church would decline in the United States. This
gave rise to those opposed to the moral influence of the Church
to strengthen their support of abortion, to promote the destruction
of embryos in stem cell research, to introduce laws favoring
euthanasia, to eliminate conscience clauses for Catholic institutions
and to eliminate employer exemptions in morally questionable
laws.
But to the surprise of the researchers, the
latest in a study of 10 scientific polls since 2002 has found
“that the scandal over sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic
Church has not caused American Catholics to leave the Church,
or to stop attending Mass and donating to their parishes.”
“The study shows that Catholic participation in church
life and satisfaction with church leadership dropped noticeably
at the height of the scandal in 2002, but has now largely
rebounded to pre-scandal levels.”
How do you explain this phenomenon? I would
say, very simply, it is the FAITH of the people. They believe
in God and in His Son Jesus Christ and accept that the church
is in “good working order.” It is clear in today’s
gospel that the church (the people of God) cannot be vital
without faith. The people believe strongly that Christ is
risen and alive in His Church, and that daily we must turn
to God and reform our lives. The Church must always reform
herself to be faithful to her Lord.
Mark’s gospel tells us that Jesus was
not able to do much in the way of mighty deeds in his home
town due to the lack of faith in the people. The power of
God works in people’s lives when there is faith.
I perceive the faith to be very strong in St.
Stanislaus parish. You have been through much with the resignation
of a very fine pastor and an awfully good man. I personally
want to thank him for his tremendous service to the parish
and assure him of our prayers and support as he works through
many issues in his life. I also want to acknowledge the good
work Father Hector Villegas has done as interim administrator.
It has been quite a challenge to him as a young priest. His
experience here will greatly benefit him in his priestly ministry.
Soon, I hope, you will have a new pastor for this fine parish
community. Your new church will be a tribute to the vitality
of faith in the parish.
A week and a half ago I had the privilege of
speaking with Pope Benedict and he asked me to convey to the
people of the Diocese of Stockton his blessing and prayers.
I do so today with gratitude for the faith of the people in
our diocese and in St. Stanislaus parish.
Last Update July 16, 2006
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