2024 - A “Super Election” Year

“In recognizing the dignity of all persons, we commit ourselves to education and action that aim to eliminate discrimination in all its forms within the congregation, in those places and institutions where we minister, and in the wider society.” (Constitution 24)

“The ancient forests have been hewndown with little profit to the spoiler, and to the injury in many ways of the native. The noble rivers are there still, and the mountains look as beautiful in the sunsets of this year of grace as they did so many hundred years before; but the country, which was in 'God's keeping' then, has but little improved since it came into the keeping of man.” – M.F. Cusack, Illustrated History of Ireland, 1868

“I sometimes wonder why … it took so long for the Church unequivocally to condemn slavery and various forms of violence. Today, with our developed spirituality and theology, we have no excuses. Still, there are those who appear to feel encouraged or at least permitted by their faith to support varieties of narrow and violent nationalism, xenophobia and contempt, and even the mistreatment of those who are different. Faith, and the humanism it inspires, must maintain a critical sense in the face of these tendencies, and prompt an immediate response whenever they rear their head.” – Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti

“Today we stand at a new crossing place. We live in a society marked strongly by the violence of war, violence to people through poverty and a sense of powerlessness and alienation, violence to earth, sea, and sky—violence that is truly cosmic. In response we commit ourselves to grow more deeply toward a nonviolent way of being and acting as peacemakers.” Seeds of Peace: Growing in Nonviolence

“We receive and celebrate all life as a gift from God by reverencing the earth’s resources and using material goods in a respectful and loving manner.” (Constitution 104)

“The Christian principles of which I speak are the Divine precepts of justice and mercy, and the Evangelical counsels of poverty and large almsgiving. If these Divine lessons were universally recognized and carried out, the dreadful danger of transgressing the limits of justice would disappear.” – Bishop Edward Gilpin Bagshawe, Mercy and Justice to the Poor, 1885

“I invite everyone to renewed hope, for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. … Hope is bold; it can look beyond personal convenience, the petty securities and compensations which limit our horizon, and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile. Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope." – Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti

“In solidarity with all peacemakers we recommit ourselves, our resources, and our prayers to creating a world built on justice from which true peace can flourish.” – Congregation Statement on Nuclear Weapons