Pallium Lecture
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Archbishop Listecki


Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

 

Last Wednesday Oct. 21st at Mount Mary University, more than 250 people were treated to an excellent presentation on “The Supreme Court and Religious Liberty.” Joseph Kearney, Dean of the Marquette University School of Law, gave a great analysis of the concept of “religious liberty” in various decisions and opinions offered by the Justices of the Supreme Court from the very beginning of the country to the most recent decisions. Using his legal expertise, he carved out three periods which offered how the Supreme Court treated questions of religious liberty brought before the court. He began his remarks by stating that the Supreme Court is only one area which gives credence to any topic, a reminder to all of us that we are a participatory democracy that elects officials and enacts laws.
 
I found it interesting to note that in his presentation, it appeared that what some may perceive as protection of religious freedom under laws such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) may at times, through their interpretation, actually work against what advocates of religious freedom would desire. The definition of religion can be so subjective that it ends up protecting nothing that resembles a defined religion and even puts at risk the practice of the faith.
 
During the question and answer period, Dean Kearney was a masterful lawyer, only responding to his “case in chief,” careful not to commit his analysis to speculation but instead, relying on the words presented in the various decisions. Perhaps his caution comes from his prior positions as a clerk for Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain of the Ninth Circuit and United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Maybe he was just tired of people speculating about the opinions rather than reading the words (what he really meant to say was…).
 
We are blessed to have scholars such as Dean Kearney within the Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. We impoverish ourselves when we fail to take advantage of the opportunities to enrich our understanding.
 
Dean Kearney and I are products of the Southside of Chicago. It has always been true that the Southside of Chicago produces tough kids, but after the Pallium lecture it can also be said that the Southside produces tough intellects. I am indebted to Dean Kearney for sharing his insights as this year’s pallium speaker. He was so good that, if we were on the Southside I would take him for a celebratory Original Rainbow Cone (a famous ice cream stand) but since we are now committed Milwaukeeans I’ll take him to Leon’s for a custard instead.
 
As people of faith the “freedom of religion” is granted by God. A tragic error is made by any nation that fails to understand and respect this primary right. There is no contradiction between love of God and love of country. It is only a problem when the nation fails to recognize the ultimate source of its authority. As St. Thomas More stated before the executioner dropped the ax “I die the king’s good servant, but God’s first.” Good words to remember as we navigate through these difficult times. The cross is a reminder of Jesus’ love for us and our response to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the October 27, 2015 "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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