Bishops' Schedules: Bishop William H. Bullock Thursday, November 11, 2004 7:00 p.m. -- Attend St. Thérèse of Lisieux Lecture Series, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison Monday, November 15 - Friday, November 19, 2004 Attend United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Meeting, Washington, D.C. Bishop George O. Wirz Thursday, November 11, 2004 7:00 p.m. -- Attend St. Thérèse of Liseux Lecture Series, Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center, Madison

A post-election reflection

		Under the Gospel Book + Bishop Robert C. Morlino

Dear Friends,

It utterly amazed me to hear Bill Schneider, the CNN political pundit, indicate that 80 percent of those who voted to re-elect President Bush were motivated by his and their conviction about moral values and moral truth.

President Bush has clearly indicated that certain moral convictions are not negotiable, and Bill Schneider, on the other hand, gives every appearance of believing that the truth lies simply in the latest poll, and after this election season we need no further persuasion as to the fluctuation and unreliability of certain polls.

Schneider further commented that the United States is an unusual country in this regard - that many people have a great concern for religious and moral values. He eagerly pointed out that such concern would not manifest itself in most places in Western Europe for example. What good news that many Americans, many Republicans, and many Democrats, believe in unchanging moral truth and are willing to express that in some concrete way, that is by their vote. There is actually bi-partisan support for truth!

Moral truth does not impede democracy

It is interesting that in recent days the Holy Father himself has said the following, "There is, for example, the tendency to consider that relativism is the attitude of thought that corresponds better to democratic political forms, as if knowledge of the truth and adherence to it were an impediment." The relativism in our country and in our culture manifests itself far more frequently than does conviction about moral truth, and I would have to believe that those who embrace relativism see it as the natural companion of democracy, where we seek to maximize the rights of every individual.

"Moral truth is in no way an impediment to true democracy but rather the necessary foundation for any democracy."

However, the only reason for maximizing the rights of every individual in our democratic form of government is the sacred unsurpassed value of every human being, which is itself a non-negotiable moral truth. Moral truth is in no way an impediment to true democracy but rather the necessary foundation for any democracy, especially the truth about the value and the dignity of the human person.

The Holy Father went on to say, "If political action does not have as reference a higher ethical exigency, enlightened in turn by an integral view of man and society, it ends by serving inappropriate or even elicit ends. Truth on the contrary is the best antidote to ideological fanaticism in the scientific, political, and also the religious realm."

And on top of it all recently the Reverend Kendall Harman, a South Carolina clergyman in the Episcopal Church and member of the American Anglican Council, indicated, "The Anglican communion is a wonderful family, but they've emphasized family to the seeming neglect of many other factors, one of which is truth. The family only has real unity if it has unity in truth."

It is my sincere hope and prayer that these indicators of homage toward objective truth, the motivation of many in our own American electorate, the words of our Holy Father, and the words of this Episcopalian clergyman are signaling a turn toward respect for the truth on a much larger scale.

Can't lose sight of non-negotiable truth

During the election I at no time endorsed a political party or candidate nor would I have done so. After the fact I must say that my hope for progress in our culture toward embracing objective truth, rather than presuming a self-centered, individualistic relativism, will increasingly materialize. To be sure both candidates for president held up for our consideration some very noble purposes, dreams, and plans.

But the foundation of our democracy, that which makes it worth fighting for and dying for, is the conviction about the unsurpassed dignity of the human person which applies equally to every human being, especially the most weak and the most defenseless. If we lose sight of that non-negotiable truth, all of our other good purposes could collapse at the twinkling of an eye because they depend on this non-negotiable truth for their own credibility and worthwhileness. That's a lot to think about in this post-election climate.

Let our prayers be with both the winners of the recent election and those who did not achieve victory, confident that their intentions toward the good of our country are praiseworthy, and grateful for the incredible resources of time, energy, self, and family which they invested in their campaigns. Let us remember especially Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, praying for her speedy and complete healing. And let us continue to pray that God will bless those elected to serve our country, and that God will continue to bless America.

Thank you for reading this. God bless each one of you and your loved ones. Praised be Jesus Christ!

Official Appointments:

Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, wishes to announce the following appointments:

Reverend David A. Wanish from Parochial Vicar, St. Paul University Catholic Center, to Administrator, St. Joseph Parish, Argyle, linked with St. Michael Parish, Yellowstone, and St. Joseph Parish, Gratiot, linked with St. John Parish, South Wayne, effective November 10, 2004.

As members of the Diocesan Building Commission for terms ending October 31, 2007:

Reverend Monsignor Michael E. Hippee

Reverend Monsignor Duane R. Moellenberndt

Reverend Donn J. Heiar

Dr. Patrick Gorman

Mr. Gregory Keller

Mr. John Feller

Mrs. Sabina Mirabelli-Conzemius

Mr. Peter Szotkowski

Msgr. Paul J. Swain
Vicar General