Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This past weekend’s early snow reminds us, perhaps, of the fragility of all our human plans and efforts. “If the Lord does not build the house, in vain does the workman labor. If the Lord does not guard the city, in vain does the watchman keep watch” (Ps 127:1). Let us use this reminder of God’s eternal kingship over all His creation to renew our submission and devotion to His divine Providence, which brings good out of all our efforts, both the better and the sometimes very flawed.
Pastoral Letter of the Future of the Diocese
In this issue of the Globe, you will find an insert containing my Pastoral Letter on the state and future of the Diocese of Sioux City, which I have called “The Church is Always in Need of Renewal.” For ease in sharing and making use of this letter, it will also be posted on the Diocesan website.
In my more than three years among you, I have been impressed with the strength of your shared faith and the resilience of our parish communities. The history of this Diocese is full of many, many inspiring examples of dedication and courage in the spiritual life. We have a very solid foundation for our present and our future with God. But we are never perfect in faith, and there is always room for deeper and renewed faith, hope, and love in our lives. I trust everyone will find in this letter something to inspire both a deeper gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ, for the innumerable graces with which He has already blessed us, and a concrete renewal of faith and hope, to confront and grow in how we are not yet perfect in Christ. I encourage all the faithful to read this letter in a spirit of prayer and discernment, and to discuss the vision I describe with family, at parishes and schools, and with all who may be interested. May the Lord God bring good for all His people out of this effort!
Health Care legislation in Congress
Last week, on October 8, my brother bishops, Cardinal Rigali, Bishop Murphy, and Bishop Wester, on behalf of the Church in the United States, again reminded Congress, in their discussion of health care reform legislation, of the absolute priority of the sanctity of human life, from natural conception to natural death.
This means, as the letter once again explains, that any morally responsible health care legislation must, at a minimum, not fund abortion coverage with federal money, nor expand the mandate or accessibility of abortion; must make genuine health care more accessible and more affordable for all, especially the very poor, in practical terms; and include provision for all legal immigrants, and for an adequate safety net for all residents in this country.
We bishops have been extremely disappointed with the failure of the current legislative proposals to meet these minimum moral criteria, and with the unilateral and partisan nature of much of this process to date. In the working committees of both the House and the Senate, for example, despite the administration’s promises that health care will not cover abortion and will protect conscience rights, amendments that would make these promises part of the legislation itself have been voted down. The actions of the current majority party do not match their words. For such reasons, my brothers conclude, “If final legislation does not meet our principles, we will have no choice but to oppose the bill.”
The letter is available on the USCCB health care website, www.usccb.org/healthcare, under the link, “Letters to Congress.”
May our Lord Jesus Christ fill you all with every grace and blessing. Please continue to pray for our priests in this Year For Priests! We count so much on your spiritual support.
Your brother in Christ,
Most Reverend R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City