Archbishop Burke-Jan 22, Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person

The following is a letter from Archbishop Burke to Members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate:

22 January 2009—Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person

Dear Members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate,

Today is the 36^th Anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's infamous decision in the cases Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, by which the highest court of our nation took away the safeguard of the most fundamental of all rights, the right to life, from the most vulnerable members of the human family, the unborn.  Rightly, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has, for some time, designated this day as a Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person, and of Prayer for the Full Restoration of the Legal Guarantee of the Right to Life. January 22^nd is to be observed "as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life" (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373).

The legacy of the just-mentioned decisions has been an unconscionable decline in the respect for all human life.  By now, you are familiar with the latest and most heinous anti-life legislation the people of the United States of America are facing: the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).  The passage of FOCA would lift all restrictions on procured abortion, force taxpayers to participate in the funding of procured abortions; revoke all informed consent, parental notification and conscience protection laws; and force even Catholic hospitals to perform abortions, which clearly would necessitate the closing of Catholic hospitals.  I ask you to pray for the defeat of FOCA and to do all you can to work against its passage, while also working to protect existing pro-life legislation. For more information on how to become involved, please visit the USCCB website at www.usccb.org/prolife.

In a special way, I address you, the members of the Marian Catechist Apostolate, on this Day of Penance. Reflecting on the circumstances in society which give rise to the necessity of a Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person, I am deeply conscious of the much needed service of the Marian Catechist Apostolate in the renewal of society.  I take the occasion of this most sad anniversary for our nation, to encourage you to redouble your efforts to grow in personal holiness and knowledge of the Catholic Faith, that you may always be equipped to share generously and courageously the richness of the Faith with others, for the transformation of society.

I enclose for you a helpful tool for evangelization, a copy of the Marian Catechist Apostolate brochure. The revised brochure introduces the Apostolate and its Founder, the Servant of God Father John A. Hardon, S.J., to those who may not know the Apostolate.  It can be used as a resource for those whom you meet who have a sincere desire to grow in holiness and to know the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church. Please contact Mrs. Theresa Knothe, National Coordinator of the Apostolate, if you would like to order more brochures for your apostolic work. 

In closing, I invite you to join me at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, Wisconsin for the Consecration of Marian Catechists to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the weekend of August 7^th – 9^th of 2009.  Please join me today and always in calling upon the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the transformation of the culture of death into a civilization of divine love and life.

Invoking God's blessing upon you and your home, I am

Yours devotedly in Christ,
(Most Rev.) Raymond L Burke
Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Louis
Prefect, Apostolic Signatura of the Supreme Tribunal

Please prayerfully consider His Excellency's words as we continue to pray for the conversion of those who embrace the hedonistic culture of death and ask Our Lord for His mercy in these trying times.  And please remember Archbishop Burke in your prayers.

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