Accepting Our Responsibility Before God
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Archbishop Listecki


Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

 

There is little doubt in my mind that the horrendous events in the last two weeks – the shootings of the police officers in Dallas and the taking of two black lives in Minnesota and Louisiana – have caused many to inflame the cries of division in the United States. Various social pundits will offer their commentaries for a quick fix. However, it is very obvious to me that the events that we have experienced are more representative of systemic problems. Unless we address these problems, then all of the handholding, arm-locking and statements of unity by politicians, community organizers or movement leaders will be empty rhetoric. It will do little to solve problems going forward.
 
It should be no surprise to the many who now call upon God to assist us in bringing peace and calm to troubled areas, that God and organized religion have been systematically separated from the national discourse. Our society is becoming more and more secularized; as that happens, it is God who becomes marginalized.
 
The destruction of the family has wreaked havoc, especially upon young people in economically underprivileged areas.  The lack of role models (i.e. father, mother) contributes to an inability of persons to be formed in a manner to respect authorities, not only those in the home but outside of it. How can we think of ourselves as brothers and sisters when we no longer have families to support that concept?
 
All of us must take responsibility for what is viewed on a daily basis on cable television, movies, music presentations and the Internet. There is a wonderful phrase that is used by those who deal with technology: GIGO (garbage in/garbage out). If we have been feeding the minds of our children the equivalent of junk food, can we expect anything less than junk being depicted by our young? GIGO crosses social, economic and educational lines, and if we are worried about the physical health of our children in what they eat, perhaps we should also be worried about what they see and hear.
 
As an archbishop, I realize that there are no quick fixes. However, I do know that if we are serious about making changes, the only way true change can occur is through accepting our responsibility before God, and understanding that it is only adherence to His commands that offers safe haven and true peace. After all, we have been given His Son who simply asks us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the July 12, 2016 "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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