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 WASHINGTON-Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York called on everyone "concerned about the tragedy of abortion" to recommit to a "vision of life and love, a vision that excludes no one" on January 14. His statement marks the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Cardinal Dolan chairs the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Most Americans oppose a policy allowing legal abortion for virtually any reason - though many still do not realize that this is what the Supreme Court gave us," wrote Cardinal Dolan. "Most want to protect unborn children at later stages of pregnancy, to regulate or limit the practice of abortion, and to stop the use of taxpayer dollars for the destruction of unborn children. Yet many who support important goals of the pro-life movement do not identify as 'pro-life,' a fact which should lead us to examine how we present our pro-life vision to others."

"Even as Americans remain troubled by abortion," wrote Cardinal Dolan, a powerful and well-funded lobby holds "that abortion must be celebrated as a positive good for women and society, and those who cannot in conscience provide it are to be condemned for practicing substandard medicine and waging a 'war on women'." He said this trend was seen recently when President Obama and other Democratic leaders prevented passage of the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, "a modest measure to provide for effective enforcement" of conscience laws.

"While this is disturbing," said Cardinal Dolan, "it is also an opportunity." Pro-life Americans should reach out to "the great majority of Americans" who are "open to hearing a message of reverence for life." He added that "we who present the pro-life message must always strive to be better messengers. A cause that teaches the inexpressibly great value of each and every human being cannot show disdain or disrespect for any fellow human being." He encouraged Catholics to take part, through prayer and action, in the upcoming "9 Days for Life" campaign, January 16-24. More information on the campaign is available online: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxJwfcefUiU

He also cited the Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis as a time for women and men to find healing through the Church's Project Rachel post-abortion ministry.

The full text of Cardinal Dolan's message is available online.
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Keywords: Roe v. Wade, anniversary, Pro-Life, Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, 9 Days for Life, USCCB, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Year of Mercy, Project Rachel, Pope Francis
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(Vatican Radio) Moments after Pope Francis made the announcement, Hungary's Catholic Church made it clear that it was looking forward to preparing for the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in 2020.

The Congress will be held 30 years after Hungary held its first democratic elections since World War Two. Those elections meant the end of decades of Communist rule, when many church leaders and other believers faced persecution.

Listen to the report by correspondent Stefan Bos:

This is the second time that Hungary has hosted the International Eucharistic Congress. Its 34th edition in May 1938 ended with a closing Mass on Budapest's famed Heroes Square, attended by some half-a-million pilgrims.

Many people are also expected in 2020, since at least one-in-three Hungarians claim to be Catholic.

"FULL OF ENERGY"

Hungarian Catholic Cardinal Péter Erdo made clear however that he wanted to make sure the 52nd Congress in Budapest "would introduce" the importance of the Eucharist, not only to Church members, "but to the whole civilian world".

Erdo, who led the Hungarian delegation during this year's Congress in Cebu, Philippines, said a special theological committee would be formed to prepare for the event.

The Cardinal made clear that this was "a very serious pastoral" preparation time.

"You have to organize [the International Eucharistic Congress] full of energy," he said in published remarks.

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(Vatican Radio)  Humility is the way of holiness. That’s what Pope Francis said in his Homily at Monday morning’s Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The Pope focused on the story of King David who, aware of his own sin, accepts humiliation in a spirit of trust in the Lord. While God forgives sin, the Pope observed, “the wounds of corruption are difficult to heal."

King David "is one step away from corruption," says the Pope - but the prophet Nathan, sent by God, makes him understand the evil he has done. David, adds Francis, is a "sinner, but holy."

The wounds of corruption are difficult to heal

Though he is a sinner, David is not corrupt - the Pope notes - because "the corrupt do not realize that they are:"

"It takes a special grace to change the heart of a corrupt person. And David who had a noble heart, said: 'Oh, it's true: I have sinned!'  He acknowledges his guilt. And what does Nathan say? 'The Lord forgives your sin, but the corruption that you have sown will grow. You killed an innocent man to hide adultery. The sword shall never depart from your house.'  God forgives the sin; David converts but the wounds of corruption are difficult to heal. We see this in many parts of the world."

David finds his son Absalom has become corrupt, waging war on him. But the king gathers his men and decides to leave the city, allowing the Ark to return. He does not call on God to defend him. He leaves "to save his people." And this, Pope Francis reveals, “is the way of holiness that David, after that moment of corruption, begins to follow."

King David entrusts himself to God and so passes from sin to holiness

David, with covered head and weeping, leaves the city amid the jeers of some.  Among these, Shimei calls him "murderous" and curses him. David accepts this because, the Pope says, if he is cursed, it is the Lord’s doing:

"Then David said to his servants: 'My own son, who came forth from my loins, is seeking my life:’ Absalom.  And then, ‘let this Benjaminite go on cursing since it was the Lord who ordered him to.’ David knows how to see the signs: it is his moment of humiliation, it is the moment in which he is paying for his guilt. 'Perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction, and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day.’ And he puts himself in the hands of the Lord. This is the path of David, from the moment of corruption to this entrusting of himself into the hands of the Lord. And this is holiness. This is humility.”  

“I think all of us, if somebody says something bad to us, would immediately say that it’s not true." Or we do as Shimei does: "We offer an even uglier response."

May Christians have the grace of humility

"Humility,”  the Pope stresses, “can only get into the heart via humiliation. There is no humility without humiliation, and if you are not able to put up with some humiliations in your life, you are not humble." It’s simply "mathematical," the Pope stresses:

"The only way to humility is through humiliation. David’s destiny, which is holiness, comes through humiliation. The destiny of that holiness which God gives to his children, gives to the Church, comes through the humiliation of his Son, who allows himself to be insulted, who allows himself to be placed on the cross - unjustly ... And this Son of God who humbles himself, this is the way of holiness. And David, through his behavior,  prophesizes  this humiliation of Jesus. Let us ask the Lord for the grace of humility for each of us, for the whole Church - but also for the grace to understand that humility cannot be achieved without humiliation. "

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