Statement from Bishop Taylor on Former Cardinal McCarrick
“On July 28, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the College of Cardinals of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, the 88-year-old retired arch-bishop of Washington, D.C., and imposed upon him suspension from the exercise of any public ministry and the obligation to remain sequestered for a life of prayer and penance until the very credible accusations made against him are examined in a regular canonical trial. Pope Francis is clearly making good on his promise to hold everyone accountable, including bishops and even cardinals — and for that I am grateful. Archbishop McCarrick is the highest-ranking bishop ever to be removed over claims of abuse committed by him personally, rather than simply mishandling or even concealing crimes of abuse committed by others, as was the case with the bishops of Chile and others. These tragic cases remind us that no one is above the law — neither civil law nor canon (Church) law. Please pray for all involved, especially the victims who continue to suffer deep wounds. Please also pray for those whose faith is shaken by sexual abuse committed by priests, bishops or cardinals. Ultimately, our faith is in Jesus Christ and in His Church, not in any single priest, bishop or cardinal.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all of us of the importance of the safe environment policies of our diocese and to invite any who have been abused by a priest or any other representative of the Church — even if in the distant past — to report the abuse to the State of Arkansas Hotline for Crimes Against Children at (800) 482-5964 and to then contact our victims assistance coordinator at (501) 664-0340, ext. 425 or Deacon Matthew Glover, our chancellor for canonical affairs, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 361. This information about reporting suspected abuse is also posted prominently in all of our parishes and schools. I am deeply concerned to see to it that we offer whatever assistance we can provide. Please know that if you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse by a priest or any other representative of the Church, the Diocese of Little Rock stands ready to offer assistance.”
“On July 28, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from the College of Cardinals of Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, the 88-year-old retired arch-bishop of Washington, D.C., and imposed upon him suspension from the exercise of any public ministry and the obligation to remain sequestered for a life of prayer and penance until the very credible accusations made against him are examined in a regular canonical trial. Pope Francis is clearly making good on his promise to hold everyone accountable, including bishops and even cardinals — and for that I am grateful. Archbishop McCarrick is the highest-ranking bishop ever to be removed over claims of abuse committed by him personally, rather than simply mishandling or even concealing crimes of abuse committed by others, as was the case with the bishops of Chile and others. These tragic cases remind us that no one is above the law — neither civil law nor canon (Church) law. Please pray for all involved, especially the victims who continue to suffer deep wounds. Please also pray for those whose faith is shaken by sexual abuse committed by priests, bishops or cardinals. Ultimately, our faith is in Jesus Christ and in His Church, not in any single priest, bishop or cardinal.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind all of us of the importance of the safe environment policies of our diocese and to invite any who have been abused by a priest or any other representative of the Church — even if in the distant past — to report the abuse to the State of Arkansas Hotline for Crimes Against Children at (800) 482-5964 and to then contact our victims assistance coordinator at (501) 664-0340, ext. 425 or Deacon Matthew Glover, our chancellor for canonical affairs, at (501) 664-0340, ext. 361. This information about reporting suspected abuse is also posted prominently in all of our parishes and schools. I am deeply concerned to see to it that we offer whatever assistance we can provide. Please know that if you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse by a priest or any other representative of the Church, the Diocese of Little Rock stands ready to offer assistance.”
It should come as no surprise anyone, especially those who have listened to my homilies, that I am a strong proponent of participation in daily Mass. This started long before I had the privilege of celebrating Mass everyday (except Good Friday) as a priest.
As a youngster going to St. John's Catholic School in Hot Springs we went to Mass everyday. I admit it was nice to have a "break" from classes to attend Mass before we went to lunch, and when it switched to the first thing we did as we arrived at school, I grew to appreciate what a blessing it was to begin the school day by encountering Jesus in Word and Sacrament. I was also privileged in my sixth grade year to help lead the singing at daily Mass. When I, and some of my siblings, went to early daily Mass on non-school days, we were given great encouragement and kudos from my fifth grade teacher, Sister Laurene (who is now 102 years old). I also had (and still have) a wonderful example of the blessings of participating in daily Mass from my mother who has been going for as long as I can remember (which is still a long time). Even when she was working the night shift as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph Hospital, she would go to Mass after she got off work - before going home and going to bed. I realize, I have a wonderful background in participating in daily Mass, and I know it surely fed my desire to serve the Lord on the altar, first as an altar boy and now as a priest for 32 years.
While I know it takes some effort and discipline to start participating in daily Mass every day, or at least once or twice a week, I pray that more of you will join the ranks of those who could testify to the blessings that come from it for their lives. This includes, of course, the opportunity to "celebrate" the saints on the calendar and be reminded of the blessings they were in their lives and the blessing they are to us now with their intercession for us. Come worship the Lord!!
P.S. This week would be a good one to join us for daily Mass as we celebrate some wonderful saints, the martyrs, Saint Sixtus and his companions (Tuesday), Saint Dominic (Wednesday), Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross (Thursday) and Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr (Friday) AND the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Monday.
As a youngster going to St. John's Catholic School in Hot Springs we went to Mass everyday. I admit it was nice to have a "break" from classes to attend Mass before we went to lunch, and when it switched to the first thing we did as we arrived at school, I grew to appreciate what a blessing it was to begin the school day by encountering Jesus in Word and Sacrament. I was also privileged in my sixth grade year to help lead the singing at daily Mass. When I, and some of my siblings, went to early daily Mass on non-school days, we were given great encouragement and kudos from my fifth grade teacher, Sister Laurene (who is now 102 years old). I also had (and still have) a wonderful example of the blessings of participating in daily Mass from my mother who has been going for as long as I can remember (which is still a long time). Even when she was working the night shift as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph Hospital, she would go to Mass after she got off work - before going home and going to bed. I realize, I have a wonderful background in participating in daily Mass, and I know it surely fed my desire to serve the Lord on the altar, first as an altar boy and now as a priest for 32 years.
While I know it takes some effort and discipline to start participating in daily Mass every day, or at least once or twice a week, I pray that more of you will join the ranks of those who could testify to the blessings that come from it for their lives. This includes, of course, the opportunity to "celebrate" the saints on the calendar and be reminded of the blessings they were in their lives and the blessing they are to us now with their intercession for us. Come worship the Lord!!
P.S. This week would be a good one to join us for daily Mass as we celebrate some wonderful saints, the martyrs, Saint Sixtus and his companions (Tuesday), Saint Dominic (Wednesday), Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross (Thursday) and Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr (Friday) AND the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Monday.
Last weekend I spoke in my homily about the fact that this past Wednesday, July 25, marked the 50th anniversary of the promulgation by then Pope Paul VI's encyclical "Humanae Vitae" (On Human Life). Though many people who are knowledgeable immediately think of the Pope's statement against the use of artificial contraception, the fact is sadly that most people never read "Humane Vitae" in its entirety, and therefore drew conclusions about it that were negatively-based solely on the Pope's negative response to those who were promoting artificial contraception.I cannot, in one column speak in detail about this encyclical. I urge you to "Google" Humanae Vitae and click on, "Humanae Vitae-United State Catholic Conference of Bishops." It speaks of the beautiful and clear teaching about God's plan for married love and the transmission of life that is found in "Humanae Vitae" and provides resources if anyone wishes to become more educated about this teaching.
It is sadly clear that Pope Paul VI's predictions fifty years ago about a society that has a contraceptive mentality and practice, have come true in our world. These are: 1) An increase in marital infidelity (and with it a higher rate of divorce), 2) A general lowering of moral standards, 3) A loss of respect for women and 4) Governments coercing people into contraception and intervening in citizen's sexual relations.
If you were not aware of it, our diocese now requires engaged couple (who are still of chilbearing years) to be taught about the Church's teaching with regard to acceptable and unacceptable ways of responsibily planning one's family.
The Democrat/Gazette Religion Section this past Saturday (July 21, 2018) had a nice article on the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of "Humanae Vitae," and quoted couples who have practiced and taught Natural Family Planning. One of these couples, the Hart duo of Little Rock were blessed with wonderful children, two of whom have grown to be priests for the DIocese of Little Rock (Andrew and Stephen Hart)!