ARTICLES

Catholic advocates ‘do the right thing’

By Steve Neill
of The Catholic Virginian

In his message to almost 250 participants at Catholic Advocacy Day, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo stressed that he was grateful to them “for doing the right thing.”

He made his remarks during a prayer service Jan. 28 at St. Peter Catholic Church, a block from the Virginia State Capitol and state legislative building where the advocates were soon to depart so they could tell many of the legislators what issues were important to them in the hope of gaining their support.

The location of St. Peter’s, the diocese’s original Cathedral which was dedicated in 1835 and last year celebrated its 175th anniversary, reminded Bishop DiLorenzo of a story he heard which supposedly occurred at St. Paul Episcopal Church across the street from St. Peter’s.

“Across the street from where we are today at St. Paul Episcopal Church a Communion service was held soon after the end of the Civil War,” Bishop DiLorenzo said.

Although the congregation for the service was almost all white, there were a few former black slaves — now called freedmen — who had entered the church after the service began. When it came time for the worshippers to receive Communion, one of the freedmen also came forward and knelt at the altar rail as the others had done.

“There was this huge pause,” the Bishop said, adding that at that time it was unheard of for African Americans to worship openly with white people.

Time stood still, in a sense, as everyone was stunned and wondered what would or should happen.

“Then this elderly white-haired gentleman slowly came down the church aisle and knelt beside him and it broke the tension,” Bishop DiLorenzo said.

“That elderly gentleman was Robert E. Lee,” he added.

“You’re never too old to do the right thing,” he concluded, telling those gathered at St. Peter’s, “Thanks for doing the right thing.”

Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, and Chris Ramos, assistant director, both gave briefings on upcoming legislation and suggested how advocates could explain why they took the stands they have on specific issues.

Key issues concerned unborn life and conscience protection as well as embryonic stem cell research.

“Make sure you let them know that Virginia taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for abortions, Planned Parenthood projects,” Mr. Caruso said, adding that Virginia is one of only 17 states that funds abortions with its own money.

He urged the advocates to speak up for an amendment similar to the Stupak Amendment (approved by the U.S. House of Representatives incorporating the longstanding federal policy against abortion funding) in Virginia legislation.

Regarding legislation on the death penalty, Mr. Caruso said use of the death penalty is unnecessary and unjustified. The VCC opposes bills which call for expansion of the death penalty.

Annette Parsons, director of the diocese’s Office for Catholic Education, and Francine Conway, Superintendent of Schools, accompanied both Catholic bishops of Virginia as well as representatives of five Catholic schools in the state to a meeting with Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.

“The Governor told us he believes whole-heartedly in Catholic schools,” Ms. Parsons said.

Lori Haas, a member of St. Mary parish in Richmond, said she had good visits with Sen. Walter Stosch and Del. James Massie and a legislative aide of Del. John O’Bannon. She used talking points suggested by the VCC.

“We followed the handouts of the VCC and highlighted the five key areas,” she said.

“The legislators want sound bites or ideas in bullets so we tried to reduce each of the five issues to one or two sentences,” Mrs. Haas added.

“Overall, we had a good reception,” she continued. “They acknowledged support when they agreed with the stand we took and then seemingly skipped issues where we assume they disagreed with us. Thy just chose not to speak to it.”

Mr. Caruso was pleased with the outcome of the day.

“People who visited their legislators spoke against state funding of abortion and Planned Parenthood, and in favor of better access to health care for underserved populations,” he said.

“They also asked lawmakers to oppose expansions to the death penalty, to cap the annual interest that car-title lenders can charge at 36 percent, and to provide tax credits for those whose donations help provide scholarships to students in lower-income families who wish to attend nonpublic schools.

“These Virginia constituents brought the message of faithful citizenship to the public square through their words and their example.

“In prayer and in public, they brought Gospel values to bear on issues that will impact the poorest and most vulnerable.”

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