The Valley Catholic November 7, 2017 | Page 11

tvc . dsj . org | November 7 , 2017 IN THE CHURCH 11 Colombian Youths Must Teach Elders to Forgive , to Move on

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service
BOGOTA , Colombia – As Colombia strives to build a lasting peace , the country ’ s elders need the encouragement and insistence of young people , who believe with all their hearts that forgiveness is possible and grudges don ’ t have to last for decades , Pope Francis said .
The pope turned what was originally described as the “ blessing of the faithful ” Sept . 7 into a rallying cry to an estimated 22,000 young Colombians gathered in Plaza Bolivar outside the cathedral and cardinal ’ s residence .
“ Dream big ,” he told them . “ Help us , your elders , not grow accustomed to pain and death .”
Pope Francis not only described the youths as the “ hope of Colombia and of the church ,” but he said that when they walk the path of empathy , understanding , encounter , forgiveness and hope , people can see in them the actions of Jesus , “ the messenger of peace , the one who brings us good news .”
“ Do not let anyone rob you of your joy ,” the pope told the youths , who were singing , dancing and waving flags and homemade , oversized foam gloves .
Fueled by joy , he said , young people can spread hope and confidence in a new future for Colombia , one that finally and definitively turns the corner after more than 50 years of civil war , death and destruction .
“ Do not be afraid of the future ,” the
pope said . “ Dare to dream big .”
Young people almost naturally are sensitive to the suffering of others , he said . That ’ s why so many volunteer organizations all over the world rely on the young to carry out their work . It is possible , he added , that “ death , pain and division have impacted you so deeply that they have left you halfdazed , as if numb ,” but he pleaded with them to open their hearts to the suffering of others and mobilize to respond .
Living in a country at war , experiences of poverty or of broken homes , seeing peers give in to drug addiction – all those things make young people see that “ not everything is black and white ,” the pope said . Some people react by falling into relativism , thinking that nothing is clearly right or wrong
– but “ wrong is always wrong and cannot just be smoothed over ,” he said .
Another reaction , a better reaction , Pope Francis said , is that of “ perceiving the pain of those who suffered ,” not only judging actions , but understanding the individuals involved and the “ endless number of causes , of mitigating factors .”
That understanding , the pope said , must be extended to the youths ’ parents and grandparents , who “ could not or did not know how ” to come to an understanding and to end the civil war sooner .
Young people are experts at not getting “ entangled in old stories ” and grudges , he said . “ You help us in the desire to leave behind what has hurt us , to look to the future without the burden of hatred .”
By Catholic News Service
U . S . Bishops , Other Catholic Groups Back Conscience Protection Bill
WASHINGTON – The U . S . Conference of Catholic Bishops and 32 other organizations have signed a joint letter of support for the Conscience Protection Act of 2017 .
The bill , which has House and Senate versions , is intended to close loopholes that ignore the conscience rights of medical professionals on abortion , according to the signed letter .
“ Even many ‘ pro-choice ’ Americans realize that the logic of their ( opponents ’) position requires them to respect a choice not to be involved in abortion ,” said the letter , dated Sept . 6 and addressed to senators .
“ Yet , with violations of federal conscience laws occurring in California , New York , Washington , Alaska , Illinois , and most recently Oregon , it is increasingly clear that the current laws offer far less protection in practice than in theory ,” the letter added .
“ Federal conscience laws do not authorize a ‘ private right of action ’ allowing the victims of discrimination to sue on their own behalf , and allowing courts to take measured action to end this discrimination ,” it said .
Its backers say the bill “ would mean almost no change in the substantive policy of Congress ” but “ would be an enormous step forward in assuring Americans who serve the sick and needy that they can do so without being forced by the government to violate their most deeply held convictions on respect for innocent human life .”
The House passed an identical bill last year , 245-182 . Other Catholic signatories of the letter included the Catholic Medical Association , the Knights of
Columbus , the National Council of Catholic Women , the National Catholic Bioethics Center , the National Association of Catholic Nurses , the Catholic Benefits Association , Catholic Healthcare International and the Franciscan Alliance . Other signers included the National Right to Life Committee , the Alliance Defending Freedom , the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission , the National Association of Evangelicals , the March for Life Education and Defense Fund , the American College of Pediatricians and the Susan B . Anthony List .

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