A Message from Bishop Michael Warfel

Like the weather, everyone talks about the declining culture in America but too few seem to be doing anything about it. One of the major factors in this decline is the disconnect between individuals and their fellow man. Everyone seems to be doing their own thing, morality seems to be deemed “relative” to the situation, and it seems there are no “absolutes.” We live in a world of self-centeredness, regardless of the impact on others. We live our lives in days empty of God. People seem to have forgotten St. John’s admonition, “By the love you have for one another, says the Lord, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35)

One major moral issue that conflicts and separates America today is that of “life.” Recently, Pope Benedict XVI issued an encyclical titled “Caritas in Veritate” (Love in Truth). It deals with a variety of modern cultural issues, particularly those involving the culture of life. We are called to educate ourselves on these writings in order to form a more perfect conscience.

The bishops of the Dioceses of Helena and Great Falls-Billings are taking action to educate Catholics on the various facets of issues of life. We will begin conferences, alternating between dioceses, to affirm the Church’s consistent ethic on issues of life. The first such conference will be held at St. Bernard’s Church in Billings on March 19 and 20, 2010. You are both invited and urged to attend.

The 2010 conference is titled “Bringing Hope to the World: Affirming the Culture of Life.” Featured speakers include Immaculée Ilibagiza, regarded as one of the world’s leading speakers on peace, faith and forgiveness and authoress of “Left to Tell,” a New York Times best-seller; Camille Pauley, who has been on the front line of life issues for many years; John Carr, the Director of Justice, Peace and Human Development for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; and Trish Short and Michael Bethea, whom you have likely seen on EWTN singing the Praises to Divine Mercy.

Speakers will address the close connection between such “life” issues as capital punishment, abortion, stem cell research, euthanasia, social justice and God’s Divine Mercy. You might Google the names of the speakers to learn more about their ministry on life issues.

We often forget that Christ is present in each one of us. That being true, we should wish the very best for our brothers and sisters, even the least of them, and treat them as the embodiment of Christ. Every life is sacred. We need to be consistent in our efforts to protect life; one can’t protect some lives and not others. We must consistently be mindful of treating our brothers and sisters in Christ in the manner we would wish to be treated. This upcoming conference will show you how all of the various facets of life are intricately woven together into a single ethic of love for our brothers and sisters. You won’t want to miss it!