Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Today's date, February 12, will always be Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in my mind and heart. Growing up on the south-side of Chicago, February 12 meant a celebration of having off of school. Although it was in the winter, for a grammar school kid this provided an opportunity to enjoy the winter season. If snow was on the ground, it signaled snowball fights and sledding, and if the snow was recent, it called for the building of a snowman. If there was no snow, then it signaled the reading of comic books, watching TV or the exploration of the neighborhood with other kids. I was happy Lincoln was such an iconic figure that the nation would celebrate his birthday, and the school’s yearly schedule would establish his birthday as a holiday.

February is also the month of George Washington’s birthday. Those who know me understand that I am a Washington fan, and consider him the greatest of all the presidents – making a case that, without him, we would not have the presidency we have today. But, I do admit that, as much as George Washington established the nation and preserved governance for the future of our country, Abraham Lincoln saved the nation from being torn apart by the immoral adoption of slavery, which denied personhood to a segment of our citizenry. The legalization of slavery had consequences, which were only rectified by the Civil War, and even then, over a century had to pass in order to embed the sense of equality in the psyche of the American public.

If you’re a Christian, then you may immediately see the similarities with the abortion controversy. I pray that it will not come to another civil war to rectify this immoral action. Lincoln said that if slavery is not wrong, then nothing is wrong. To adapt that phrase to our current situation, if abortion is not wrong, then nothing is wrong.

Our national legislature has seen fit to establish a day for presidents on February 18, the third Monday in February (combining Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays). There are states that will still honor the birthdays of our two great presidents individually, but the desire to establish a three-day holiday weekend for United States workers created the major appeal for Presidents’ Day.

I fully respect the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Leadership weighs heavily upon the shoulders of any leader, but especially the leaders of our nation. However, I really do not have the same affection or appreciation for Herbert Hoover, Warren G. Harding, Millard Fillmore or Grover Cleveland that I have for Washington and Lincoln.

Recently, I completed a read of Carl Sandburg’s book “Abraham Lincoln.”  I had read sections of the work before, and being from Illinois (the land of Lincoln), his achievements and development was fodder for grammar and high school teachers to inspire and mold the character of their students. What struck me this time when I read his biography were the vitriolic attacks on Lincoln by his political opponents; they not only attacked his political positions, but his looks and use of language as well. One has to have thick skin in order to lead. As time progresses, we forget the courage it took to stand against those who rejected the leadership and direction that was offered.

I respect all who have occupied the Office of President. They have sacrificed their privacy and personal well-being to lead our country. You don’t have to like the person, but civility demands that we respect the office. Anyone in a leadership position knows that their policies and directions will be rejected by some and supported by others. But when we fail to respect the dignity of the Office of Presidency, our society loses.

As presidents, Lincoln and Washington were exceptional characters in our history. They faced the problems of leadership with a confidence that they were doing what was right for the people of the United States of America. I pray that we have that same sense of courage to support our leaders who seek to protect our freedoms and further the common good. As good Americans, may we always exercise our religious freedom to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Note: This blog originally appeared as the February 12, 2019 "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.