12 February 2009
Dear sister and brothers in Christ,
May these days in which we anxiously wait for spring find you in peace and joy.
NATIONAL CATHOLIC BIOETHICS WORKSHOP
Last week I attended a workshop for Bishops in Dallas, Texas. It was the twenty-second workshop sponsored by the National Catholic Bioethics Center and made possible by a grant from the Knights of Columbus. Our days were filled with lectures and discussions on a whole range of bio-ethical issues. This year’s conference was entitled “Christ or Caesar? When Compliance violates Conscience.” The conference began with a speech by Justice Samuel Alito Jr., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He spoke about the importance of what our constitution really means when it talks about separation of state and church issues. The framers of our Constitution never intended that belief in God and religious beliefs be excluded in the way each person lives his or her life as a citizen of the United States. We know, as Catholic Christians, that our beliefs must make a difference in the way we act, think and behave. This is true especially for Catholic politicians. They must bring their faith to bear in the decisions they make regarding the common good. One lesson we can all learn is that our politicians and those who lead us in government must be remembered in our prayers. May God grant them wisdom and courage as they seek to do the right thing for those especially in need: the unborn, the poor, the immigrants, the neglected and forgotten.
Other issues discussed at our conference included the “Legal and Religious Foundations of Respect for Conscience.” We looked at the constitutional basis of religious liberty in the United States and the historical philosophical and theological understanding of the role of conscience in guiding right moral action. This included a discussion on distinguishing between religious and conscience exemptions, challenges faced by Catholic pharmacists, immunization requirements for Catholic Schools and ethical issues in palliative care. We heard about the principals of cooperation and compliance or noncompliance regarding mandates and state intrusions into the practice of medicine. We discussed same-sex relationship mandates now being discussed in various states, including our own state of Iowa.
Our final day touched upon how we as bishops can galvanize a Catholic response to these issues. One Bishop shared what he and his diocese did to fight state mandates for Emergency Contraception. Another bishop shared what he and his diocese did to make sure that marriage was defined as a union between one man and one woman.
The final session was spent discussing legislation being enacted that mandates how options of care are presented to patients support for physician-assisted suicide is growing across the country, as well as the part that potential funding for embryonic stem cell research is imminent. Many believe that genetic enhancement research will ultimately threaten the provision of health insurance services to those born disabled. Artificial nutrition and hydration continue to cause concern and confusion among some health care workers. We received a wonderful overview of these issues.
As you can see, it was a full agenda. I have to admit I still do not fully understand the implications of all we discussed, but I am so grateful to have the National Catholic Bioethics center the help they give us in these critical areas. The Knights of Columbus should be very proud of their efforts to support leadership in the Church and I thank them and for all they do for the good of so many.
STRATIGIC PLANNING
Printed in this edition of the Catholic Globe is a letter that I have asked all pastors to share with you in your own parish. All over the country, especially in the northeast and rural area of our land, bishops and dioceses face changing demographics and priest availability issues. This means that for good stewardship of our human and financial and pastoral recourses, we must look at different ways to provide pastoral care to our people. Parish structures must change and we cannot be afraid to do what needs to be done. This involves sacrifice and understanding on the part of all. As priests we have been discussing various changes and recommendations for several months. We have also consulted each of you for your input through the survey we sent to all registered households. I have consulted with our Diocesan Pastoral Council and have received their support and endorsements for our efforts.
Please reflect and pray about the issues mentioned in my letter to you. The Church in the Diocese is strong and faith filled. We have good priests and parish lay leadership that care deeply about doing the best we can to serve the needs of our changing population. I count on the continued support of so many of you to do what needs to be done even if it is difficult.
We will continue to keep you informed. I want to take this opportunity to thank Monsignors Duchaine and Seifried and Fathers Bertrand and Schreiber for all their help in putting this plan together. The next several years will see many changes in our Diocese. Let us trust in the Lord’s providence and guidance. May our patrons, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Joseph continue to intercede on our behalf and bless us abundantly with new vocations and courage to continue to build up the Kingdom of God in our part of northwest Iowa.
May God give you peace.
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City