No More Fooling
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Archbishop Listecki


Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

 

This is April 1 – April Fools’ Day. Let us band together to wipe out this pagan feast, which makes idiots of us all. I call upon all of you to write to your federal and state representatives to wipe out this vile celebration that attempts to demean our dignity.

For years, many of our brothers and sisters have been made the object of ridicule by some slick and devious individual who merely wants to lord over us, by suckering us into some prank and then exposing our naiveté to all our neighbors. Pick up your cell phones, go to your computers and email or write a letter so that you might express your outrage. Join me in stopping this practice! How dare we promote this frivolous adventure in everyday living? We fulfill what the American author Mark Twain said: “April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four.”

I need no reminder. In this era of political correctness, we should strive to equalize our approaches at other human beings. Instead, we create new classes with April Fools’ Day: those who play pranks and those who are the object of pranks. It must stop – and stop now. The continued celebration will only lead to greater humor in our society at the expense of a few who believe what their “so-called” friends or colleagues tell them.

We can see its origin in the simple phrase “made you look!” and as soon as we turn around the laughter begins. What’s next, knock knock jokes and no one answers? I have offered this to you, my friends, because I wish to fulfill what the great philosopher Socrates said, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.”

April Fools! Remember when you plan your pranks today, make sure you LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the April 1, 2014 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.

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