ARTICLES

Right to life values upheld at Red Mass

By Steve Neill
Of The Catholic Virginian

In his message to lawyers and other members of the legal profession in his homily at the annual Red Mass in Richmond, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo assured them that they were valued for their role in promoting justice.

The message was seen as a positive one by many who attended the liturgy Oct. 7 at St. Benedict Church.

“It spoke to me because lawyers are so often the butt of jokes,” said Donna Lange, an attorney who often handles pro bono cases for clients unable to pay.

“Some people see us as money-hungry and ambulance-chasing,” she continued. “For the Bishop to say we are people of status in the community was nice to hear.”

The annual Red Mass is normally held the first week in October which marks the opening session of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. It invokes the blessing of the Holy Spirit on members of the legal profession.

“You take that which is timeless in our religious faith and apply that to our problems which are timely,” Bishop DiLorenzo said in his homily.

Earlier he spoke of how many events of the past, including battles during wars, end up in “the category of unfinished business.”

An example he cited dates back to 1947 when Harry Truman was President and the state of Israel was declared an independent country.

“Now in 2009 we’re still dealing with unfinished business,” he said, alluding to conflict in the Middle East.

When events or situations of past generations are “unfinished business,” questions arise as to what can the current generation do.

“What can the average Catholic bring to bear on the resolution of these problems?” Bishop DiLorenzo asked rhetorically.

“My role as Bishop is to teach, nurture and encourage,” he said. “Your role is to make the world different.”

“By virtue of where you stand in society,” he told those in the legal profession, “you have the ability to change public opinion.”

Bishop DiLorenzo asserted that the love of God and love of neighbor is very important.

Ideally one who viewed its importance would follow it on the premise that “every man, woman and child is my neighbor,” he said.

The Bishop also upheld the right to life as an important principle in society and said it is important for Christians to support values which promote the right to life, especially those which protect people unable to defend themselves.

And this is not just the unborn, he said, but might include others living in remote villages which are attacked and people are terrorized.

Those with religious values for whom social justice is important should continually look for non-violent solutions to what might be considered “unfinished business.”

In recognition of the well respected status those lawyers and judges have, the Bishop said this status ensures that “they can’t brush you aside.”

“You have to prod the rest of us,” he continued, “or else the dignity of the human person is not going to be upheld.”

Following the Mass but before the congregation left their pews, Bishop DiLorenzo invited the judges, lawyers and law students to stand for a recommitment rite. Their response to each question was affirmed with “We do.”

“The vocation of law calls us as Christians to act justly in serving others. Do you reaffirm your commitment to be one who is called to act justly?

“The vocation of law calls us as Christians to achieve reconciliation between parties struggling with their differences. Do you reaffirm your commitment to be one who is called to reconcile?

“The vocation of law calls us as Christians to extend our special skills to the poor and to those not able to enjoy the freedoms bestowed on the more fortunate. Do you reaffirm your commitment to be one who is called to serve the poor?

“The vocation of law calls us as Christians to heal the wounds caused by the experience of injustices. Do you reaffirm your commitment to be one who is called to heal the wounded?”

The Red Mass was sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society

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