Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, calls in to talk about our current political and social climate and that we can ease all tension through the teachings of Jesus Christ. He urges Gus and the listeners to be followers of Jesus and not simply be admirers and to love those whom we disagree with politically. He quotes St. Thomas Aquinas' definition of love which is to will the good of another person.
Later, Gus laments the execution of Lisa Montgomery, the only woman on federal death row, early this morning and explains why. Back in 2004, she strangled Bobbie Jo Stinnett to death and then cut the eight-month old unborn baby from her womb. The child was safely recovered. Although the crime was horrific, Gus urges that, as pro-life people, we have to be consistent in our belief of being pro-life from conception to natural death and that an execution is not natural.
He also talks about a couple other news items of importance to Catholics, including the Supreme Court requiring that the abortion pill RU-486 be received in person in an effort to combat dangerous mail order abortion pills and the Vatican's new guidelines for the dispensation of ashes this year on Ash Wednesday. Gus asks listeners how they feel about not getting ashes on their foreheads this year.
And, Catholic author/historian Steve Weidenkopf calls in to talk about his new book "The Church and the Middle Ages."
I was unable to listen this morning. How can I hear or read about the Bishops message?
The Bishop gave us a lot to think about. Perhaps he should provide the invocation at the next session of Congress.