Lex Cordis Caritas - The law of the heart is Love

This past June 22 marked the ninth anniversary of my installation as bishop of our Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. That day was also the feast day of my patronal saints: St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher. It was a special blessing to mark this occasion by visiting some of the historic places associated with these two great martyrs in their homeland of England. The main reason for my visit to England was to deliver two lectures at the University of Oxford.

A new divide is separating our nation again between North and South, this time over the issue of abortion. In recent weeks, we have seen governors in states like Alabama, Georgia, Missouri and Louisiana sign legislation banning abortion at various stages, while states like New York and Illinois have passed laws purported to declare abortion a fundamental right at all stages of pregnancy, right up to the moment of birth. In the 19th century, it was the North that was on the right side of morality in opposing the evil of slavery. Now, in the 21st century, it is the South that is on the right side of morality in seeking to outlaw the evil of abortion. On May 31, shortly before they were scheduled to adjourn at midnight, the Illinois Senate approved Senate Bill 25, which, among other things, purports to declare abortion to be a fundamental right, requires private insurance to pay for abortions, and declares that an unborn baby does not have independent rights under the laws of this state.

Illinois politicians in recent years have saddled our state with a series of serious evils, among them being taxpayer-funded abortion, same-sex marriage, and the widespread proliferation of video gambling. Now Illinois’ new governor, J.B. Pritzker, was joined by Democratic lawmakers in Chicago on May 4 to announce plans to legalize recreational marijuana in the state starting next year. This follows their recent introduction of extreme pro-abortion legislation seeking to make good on Gov. Pritzker’s pledge to make Illinois the most pro-abortion state in the Union. It seems that Pritzker and like-minded lawmakers are intent on driving Illinois deeper into a cesspool of immorality. I have joined the rest of the bishops of Illinois in voicing our opposition to the legalization of marijuana.

Here in Illinois, some Democrat lawmakers are pushing House Bills 2467 and 2495, and Senate Bills 1594 and 1942. Among other things, these bills would make abortion a fundamental right and would repeal parental notification, which is currently required in Illinois when a minor seeks an abortion. This past March 28, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago and I, along with the diocesan bishops of the other four Catholic dioceses in Illinois, held a press conference at the State Capitol in Springfield to express our opposition to these extreme proposals. It is not often that all of the bishops gather at the Capitol, so the extraordinary presence of all six diocesan bishops in Illinois was intended to send a clear message that we ― as a church ― are united in our opposition to these abortion bills and we call on all people of good will to oppose them. As we enter into our Holy Week observances, commemorating Our Savior’s passage from his death on Good Friday to the new life of his resurrection on Easter Sunday gives us hope that our culture of death can be transformed into a culture of life.

As I write this, my mother’s health is failing and she in is in hospice care in her nursing home. This time of sorrow coincides with the beginning of Lent, so naturally my thoughts are very much on the Lenten themes of the journey from death to life. It is the good news of our faith that the life of Jesus did not end with his death on the cross but continues thanks to the glory of his resurrection. The promise of our faith is that the hope of eternal life is extended to us as well. We do well to reflect on these themes throughout the weeks of Lent.