Lex Cordis Caritas - The law of the heart is Love

As bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, I am grateful for this opportunity to offer my reflections on the results from the online surveys of active and inactive Catholics in central Illinois conducted by researchers from Benedictine University in Lisle and published under the title, Joy and Grievance in an American Diocese. I am especially thankful to Dr. William Carroll, president of Benedictine University, for authorizing this study, and to Dr. Phillip Hardy of the Department of Political Science and Dr. Kelly Kandra and Dr. Brian Patterson of the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Criminal Justice, for gathering, analyzing and summarizing the survey responses from several hundred participants.

There was a lot of publicity, much of it misleading, about the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that took place last month on the topic of “The Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization.” The title itself is the source of some of that confusion, so it will help to explain some of these terms.

As the genocide of Christians by the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) militants continues, our government and several countries of the international community, including some nations in the Middle East, have begun to mobilize against the terrorists accused of indiscriminate killings, abductions and rapes. The Islamic State militants are also killing other religious minorities and even fellow Muslims whom they do not consider to be true Muslims.

We should not dismiss the situation in Iraq as a far-away matter of no concern to us. U.S. intelligence officials said last month that the gains made in recent months by the Islamic State have bolstered its long-term ambitions in the West, including the United States. In light of this situation, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has called for all people to pray for peace in Iraq. Catholics are also encouraged to let their elected representatives know of their concern for Christians and other religious minorities who are in dire straits in Iraq, Syria, Egypt and other countries.

Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC) is a national organization that serves Catholic athletes in the practice of their faith and shares the Gospel in and through sports. The goal of CAC is for sports-oriented clergy and lay people to help Catholic athletes, coaches and staff to utilize the unique platform given to them to reach the world for Jesus Christ and his church.