​Bringing Catholic social advocacy to the public square

Bringing Catholic social advocacy to the public square

SAN ANTONIO — A bilingual pro-life Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 11, prior to a training session for parish leaders who want to be more engaged in the social mission of the church. The liturgy and educational gathering took place at the Church of the Holy Spirit.

In his homily at the 8 a.m. service, concelebrated by Father Carlos Velázquez and Father Anthony Male, the archbishop emphasized that Jesus did not come into a perfect world; the Son of God came into a flawed world – in the company of sinners.

“He came to bring us God’s healing touch, his mercy, his compassion, to show us how to walk in God’s ways, not our own ways. Moreover, Jesus shows us that no one is to be denied entrance into the Kingdom of God,” Archbishop Gustavo explained. “Each person is to be treated with equal dignity and respect. No one is excluded from the embrace of God’s healing, saving, comforting love.

The archbishop highlighted that the basis of the church’s pro-life efforts is the firm belief that every person is created in the “image and likeness” of God.

“Each person has an innate dignity and basic human rights,” said the San Antonio prelate. “As Jesus’ disciples, we are challenged not only to defend and protect every human life, but also to nurture and embrace every human life.”

He reiterated that this focus is the clear teaching of the Scriptures and the church, including the Second Vatican Council and the teaching of recent popes, including Pope Francis.

Just days before his passion and death, Jesus told the disciples, when people ask at the Last Judgment, “When did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison and not minister to your needs?” that the Lord will reply, “What you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” (cf. MT 25:31-46).

Archbishop Gustavo commented, “This is a very sobering thought. But the positive aspect of the message is that, when we serve the needy, the most vulnerable among us, we are serving Christ in them — we see the face of Christ in each of them.”

The archbishop then asked, “Who are the most vulnerable in our midst today?” He responded, “Surely unborn children who are threatened with abortion. We must also continue to defend and advocate on behalf of the children once they are born – and on behalf of their mothers, especially those who live in poverty.”

However, Archbishop Gustavo continued, as for the other end of life, the faithful must protect and advocate on behalf of the lives of the elderly and the terminally ill.

“We rightly oppose physician-assisted suicide and promote hospice care. We proclaim in word and in deed the innate dignity and value of persons with severe disabilities. We strive to defend undocumented immigrants and their families by advocating policies and procedures that respect their human dignity and their human rights as well as the unity of their families,” he stressed. “As pro-life Catholics, my brothers and sisters, we must defend, advocate, and act on their behalf.”

The Missionary of the Holy Spirit concluded by saying that at our baptism, “God sent his Holy Spirit upon each of us as we were washed and given new life with the baptismal water. The Spirit, also given to us at confirmation, strengthens us with his sevenfold gifts.”

“We are given all that we need to walk in God’s ways as authentic disciples of the risen Lord Jesus,” he closed. “May God say to each of us when we ultimately stand before his throne: ‘This is my beloved son or daughter in whom I am well pleased.’”

The archbishop prayed, “May Our Lady of Guadalupe teach us true Christian witness to the value of every human life. She is the protector and liberator of the poor, the downtrodden, the neglected, the detained and deported, and especially the children — the unborn and the born!”

Advocacy Day training

Following the liturgy, Texas Catholic Conference (TCC) Advocacy Day training was held in the Holy Spirit Skyroom.

Archbishop Gustavo presented opening remarks, and TCC Executive Director Jeffery Patterson from Austin discussed the 84th Legislative session agenda. The agenda includes issues involving protecting human life, children and families, health and human services, justice for immigrants, protecting the poor and vulnerable, and criminal justice.

The TCC’s activities include coordinating Catholic institutions, programs, and ministries across the state, as well as advocating before the Texas Legislature, the U.S. Congress, and governmental issues involving the moral and social teachings of the church.

Advocacy Day will be held on Tuesday, March 24, at the Texas State Capitol to promote life, justice, charity, and religious freedom.

The archdiocesan Office of Life, Justice and Peace will be providing transportation to the capital for the event, and anticipates at least 500 people from the Alamo City taking part in the activities. More information on details regarding these activities will be forthcoming.