June 30, 2022
Dear Friends of CCBI,
Papal Visit to Canada
The most important event on many people’s minds is the papal visit to Canada in a few weeks’ time. The media are full of speculation as to an apology, somewhat forgetful that many apologies have already been given. It does seem that there is a focus on the papal apology as if it will be more meaningful and more profoundly symbolic than other genuine apologies. If indigenous peoples take symbols to heart more deeply than, say, people who tend to be more literal, then perhaps we can better understand the significance of a papal apology.
Further, there is something in Pope Francis’ manner and attitude which seems to inspire trust and acceptance. This is not to say that previous Popes did not display these characteristics, nonetheless, this Pope is seen as a ‘people person’ and his meetings with, for example, the indigenous peoples of the Amazon have gone a long way in establishing his credibility and authenticity. Whatever individual ‘charisma’ is worth, (remembering that in the Pope’s case it is a spiritual charisma or gift of the Spirit at work, and not a ‘celebrity’ charisma) it will be worth its weight in gold if it helps in the long healing process that lies before so many indigenous people and their families. One non-indigenous victim of sexual abuse remarked that he hopes the Pope’s address will inspire all victims of sexual abuse to recover their dignity. This is praiseworthy, but a very tall order for one man, Pope or otherwise, and no doubt the Pope will remind all Catholics of their duty to help in the healing process, in any way possible.
Chief Littlechild, former MP and important member of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee said that he received the news of the Pope’s visit with joy and gratitude, “but also with a sense of great responsibility to the students, survivors who went ahead on their spirit journey” and are not alive to hear the apology. Most of us look forward to the Pope’s visit with similar joy and gratitude, but like Chief Littlechild must accept a sense of responsibility for past wrongs of whatever nature and even more so, as in the prolife movement, for shaping a more equitable future to ensure social justice and the common good.
Speaking of the importance of symbols, Shaun Vincent, the designer of the beautiful blue logo for the Pope’s visit and a Metis graphic designer from Winnipeg, relates in Lethbridge News Now that when he finally agreed to design the symbol, he thought ( re Pope Francis),”If you are coming here, if you are coming on this land, it needs to represent this land and (these) Peoples…He says he thought of family and friends. He thought of traditions and teachings…Vincent explains that in a circle, all are equal. All are visible…The idea of walking together, it happens in a lot of different communities in a lot of different ways. For me, I pictured more herds, more groups of animals and how they support each other.”
The newspaper article continues, “No other papal visit has had a logo like the swirling blue image that Vincent designed. Each line and curve hold meaning for Indigenous Peoples across the country, materializing as a great circular tide moving in tandem with peace doves and a set of keys to represent the Roman Catholic Church.” Vincent emphasizes the connection with Pope Francis’ emphasis on walking together, journeying together, forward together – powerful symbols of the Church in itself and in society, a Church responsible for and to its peoples.
US Supreme Court’s Abortion Ruling
The news this week of the overturning of Roe v Wade is a momentous step in American judicial process and is the culmination of years of political work in the US, not to mention the effects of appointing prolife justices to the US Supreme Court. The court struck down the ruling, saying there is no constitutional right to abortion in the US and leaving individual states to determine how they will allow or prohibit the procedure. The outcome is a triumph for some, but the backlash is already fierce and furious, endorsed by most media. I have already written a complaint to CBC because of the tenor of discussion I heard on some programs which were completely unbalanced, vilifying any prolife stance. The Vatican responded by praising the move in the US but urging much more be done to help women who experience problems in their pregnancy.
Ironically, the United States has one of the worst records for maternal deaths in the western world, and according to a New York broadcaster, statistics from the pandemic show that, “Hispanic women had nine more deaths per 100,000 births, a 74% increase from the years before the pandemic. Non-Hispanic Black women had 16.8 more deaths per 100,000 births, a 40% increase from previous numbers…White women, however, had only 2.9 more deaths per 100,000 births, a change of 17% …The findings of this study reinforce prior research showing how racial and ethnic minorities have felt the inequalities in health care since the beginning of the pandemic.” These high mortality rates show there is no doubt that reproductive health is not treated as a priority for minorities in the US, and this political reality must be acknowledged and dealt with by the prolife movement in order to counter disregard for life in many areas, including the provision of abortion, and in order to develop a beneficial ‘culture of life.’
Thankfully, many Catholic and other religious bodies have been taking that approach for some time. Cardinal Bernardin’s ‘seamless garment’ concept proposed that the prolife movement must broaden its horizons beyond preventing abortion, which is essential, but at the same time it must take measures before and after babies are born to provide proper housing, health care, education and so on for parents and families, i.e., provide as far as possible all that is necessary to make a society healthy, secure and welcoming of new life. According to Archbishop Lori of Baltimore, “There is a tremendous network in the Church in the United States that is ready, willing, and able to do this, and, in fact, is already doing it and has done it for decades…The Church also needs to advocate in the public arena for good healthcare, housing, employment, a living wage, and adoption services.” Not only the Church in the United States, but also members of the Church in Canada and elsewhere are called to this advocacy, and ‘prolife’ will never be worthy of its name if it stops halfway in weaving the garment. This new ruling, a symbolic ‘baby step,’ is, however, extremely important in showing that a change of mind and heart about respect for life from conception to natural death is possible! As the Serra movement proclaims – ‘Siempre adelante!’ Always forward!
Pope Francis’s impending visit to former residential school in Maskwacis, Alberta sparks mixed emotions – The Globe and Mail
US maternal mortality increased 33% during pandemic: Study – ABC7 New York (abc7ny.com)
Lay US Catholics to ‘redouble efforts to help moms’ after Roe overturned – Vatican News
Archbishop Lori: Overturning Roe a ‘chance to build new culture of life’ – Vatican News
‘Forward together:’ Manitoba Métis graphic designer creates logo for papal visit | Lethbridge News Now
Pope Francis’ Intentions for June
We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives.
Moira and Bambi