Bishop Richard Pates offered the homily at the closing Mass of the 2012 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington, D.C. yesterday, Feb. 15.

The purpose of the gathering is for leaders and colleagues who are involved with social justice issues to have an opportunity to share best practices, plan for emerging needs and identify areas for cooperation. It's a time for leaders to learn about the larger picture of Catholic social justice ministry and pressing domestic and global challenges relating to human life and dignity, and justice and peace. The group prays together and advocates for policies that will protect and support people suffering poverty and injustice.

In his homily, Bishop Pates encouraged those in attendance to open themselves with a spirit of prayerfulness and humility so they can be ready to act authentically, boldly and lovingly for justice.

Bishop Pates encouraged the group to protect each gift of human life, from conception until natural death. With that, he said, comes the responsibility to render dignity to each other. We do this by looking at how policies and advocacy affect the poor, he said. He referred to the Second Vatican Council's declaration of the Church's fundamental option for the poor.

 ". . . the right of having a share of earthly goods sufficient for oneself and one's family belongs to everyone. The Fathers and Doctors of the Church held this opinion, teaching that men are obliged to come to the relief of the poor and to do so not merely out of their superfluous goods.  . . . remember the aphorism of the Fathers, 'Feed the man dying of hunger, because if you have not fed him, you have killed him, and really to share and employ their earthly goods, according to the ability of each, especially by supporting individuals or peoples with the aid by which they may be able to help and develop themselves.'" (Gaudium et Spes, no. 69)

In bringing justice to the poor, Bishop Pates said we must balance what we do with how we do it. For instance, the Church teaches healthcare is a human right and it is needed to maintain the dignity of each person. It's a matter of conscience, and the founders of the United States recognized "freedom of conscience" as a companion to the right of Freedom of Religion, he said.

"Thus, the original rules established by the cabinet department of Health and Human Services implementing healthcare legislation are unacceptable," said Bishop Pates. "These rules as applied to Catholic Church institutions violated the First Amendment and the precious right of conscience.  The revised rules as recently proposed by the President need to be studied to determine if they correct the concerns.  We further ask, at this juncture, should the protective surety needed be pursued by legislation or judicial determination?  As we insist that governmental intrusion into the freedom of religion is unacceptable we serve the common good by preserving a right that is a cornerstone of our democracy." 

Bishop Pates shared about his recent visit of solidarity with bishops in Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). "From the mountaintop of the Lord, we see that the human family is one," said Bishop Pates. "All are children of God. The shrinking globe necessitates sharing our vision of justice with and on behalf of our brothers and sisters throughout the world. From our perspective as the most wealthy nation, it is imperative to embrace the poor worldwide and accord the justice that is their due."

Bishop Pates encouraged those in attendance, as they return home, to bring with them strong convictions because it is with those that hope and the inevitability of justice will prevail.

The entire homily of Bishop Pates can be viewed at dmdiocese.org/bishop-pates-homilies.cfm.