No Hope for Ireland. (Or is there?)

“I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The internet is full of voices, many despaired, over Ireland’s overwhelming vote to overturn the law protecting their tiny, pre-born citizens from abortion.

The only exception, I have found, is coming from the voices of our Catholic Priests who are offering a word of Hope.

Father David Mulholland, Catholic Priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle, provides us with this hopeful view:

What’s the fallout of the Irish abortion vote? Well, more division and distraction than ever. The months long campaign on the 8th Amendment was divisive and mean spirited on many occasions. Over a week ago, I posted on the devil’s greatest weapon in our country’s school shooting events: distraction. That distraction was evident on many levels in Ireland these past months. So, now what?

I remain hopeful because I see a number of positive trends emerging in the whole prolife movement. First, a greater focus on the beauty of each human person. Just look at the babies! Second, young people get the core issues. They get it. Many young people! Third, a greater culture of life emerging uniting the perspectives of faith and reason, something Saint John Paul II advocated. Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, atheists, feminists, libertarians and other political and social persuasions are uniting to see the intrinsic beauty, value and dignity of the human person, born and unborn. A recent conversation with an atheist at a Starbucks drove that home for me. All the enemy’s distraction is aimed at preventing us from seeing that which unites so many. So, I’m hopeful!

And Father Angel Sotelo, Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Fresno, who is Baptizing 3o newborn infants today (in a message spin that only God could have arranged), offers us these positive words:

It never fails that when one part of the Mystical Body of Christ is in crisis, another part is powerful and strong and must come to our aid with faith and prayers. God will not be mocked, and He provides for the Church, even in the times of great transgression. Thus, where sin abounded, grace (of God) did the more abound (Romans 5:20).

We are reminded daily by our Priests, in both words and action, of the words of Saint James in his first Letter:

Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  (1 James: 2-4)

Don’t forget to pray for them. Pray for more of them. And thank them. Every time.

#PrayForPriestsPrayForMorePriests