Noting
that in today’s society, “the justice and peace for which we long are seriously
threatened,” Bishop Michael F. Burbidge told those involved in the
administration of justice that such societal ills could be healed “by listening
to God’s Word and allowing it to reign in our hearts.”
“Imagine
the darkness and evils that would be eradicated, if we heard the Word of God
and followed it,” Bishop Burbidge said, adding, “There is a natural law written
in every human heart by God the Creator, and from this, all human laws must
flow.”
Bishop
Burbidge was the homilist Oct. 4 at the 68th annual Red Mass offered at the
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, to invoke God’s blessing
and guidance on justices, judges, diplomats, attorneys and senior government
officials.
“When
we open our hearts to God’s word, the Spirit sets us on fire,” the Bishop said.
“We become witnesses to Christ’s saving work in the world. Only with and
through him can we face the divisions, anger and violence in our communities
with sure hope for true and lasting peace.”
Washington
Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory was the principal celebrant of the Mass. In
addition to Bishop Burbidge, the concelebrants included Archbishop Christophe
Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States; Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson,
rector of the cathedral; and Msgr. Peter Vaghi, pastor of the Church of the
Little Flower in Bethesda, Md., and chaplain to the John Carroll Society, which
sponsors the Mass.
Because
of the safety measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance at the
cathedral was limited and the Mass was livestreamed to more than 800 people.
The
Red Mass, sponsored by the John Carroll Society, is traditionally held on the
Sunday before the first Monday in October, the day on which the U.S. Supreme
Court reconvenes after its summer recess.
Bishop
Burbidge encouraged those at the Mass to “strive daily to bring Christ into the
public arena. Be authentic witnesses of His saving work.”
Reminding
those in the legal profession that wisdom, understanding, counsel and strength
are gifts of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Burbidge prayed “that these gifts be yours
as you confront the complex issues facing our nation, bear the public scrutiny
brought upon you, and as you discern the many voices that clamor for your
attention.”
He
urged those in the legal profession to “defend every human life, from the moment
of conception to natural death; to eradicate the evils of racism,
discrimination and bigotry that plague our communities; to bring justice to the
poor, the weak, the immigrant and the marginalized; to promote religious
liberty and freedom of conscience; and to care for God’s Creation, our common
home.”
He
also asked those at the Mass to “imagine the blessings that would be ours, if
we practiced the wisdom of our founding fathers: that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’”
He
said that “life and liberty are not earned. They are not given by any human
person or institution — they come from the hand of God … life and liberty are
divine gifts.”
“Some
forget this, sadly some reject it; some sadly grow weary in proclaiming it,”
Bishop Burbidge said. “So, we say, ‘Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the
face of the earth.’ ”
During
his homily, Bishop Burbidge also prayed for those he called “guardians” of “the
character of the law, the sacred character of the law” and for those who have
died, “asking especially for His mercy to come upon Justice Ginsburg.”
Justice
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died Sept. 18 at the age of 87, served as an associate
justice on the U.S. Supreme Court for 27 years, having been appointed by
then-President Bill Clinton in 1993. President Trump has nominated Judge Amy
Coney Barrett, a Catholic, to replace Judge Ginsburg.
Bishop
Burbidge asked those in the legal profession to follow the example of St.
Thomas More, “a witness anchored in the truth. He was a civil servant, but
without compromise, he was forevermore — and without compromise and no matter
how great the threat — God’s servant first.”
St.
Thomas More was a late 15th and early 16th century English lawyer and statesman
who served as King Henry VIII’s lord chancellor. A devout Roman Catholic and
fierce opponent of the Protestant Reformation, he was beheaded for refusing to
acknowledge Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and the king’s
self-proclamation as the supreme head of the Church of England. At his
execution, his last words were “I die the King’s good servant, and God’s
first.”
He
was canonized in 1935 and proclaimed patron saint of politicians and statesmen
in 2000.
“As
you prepare to go forth into the world, ask God to give you the wisdom and
courage … to be authentic witnesses to the truth. This is the sacred duty you
all share,” Bishop Burbidge said. “Through the intercession of St. Thomas More,
ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit, to strengthen and guide you.”
During
the Mass, prayers were offered for those suffering from the coronavirus,
including President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Bishop
Burbidge said, “We pray with confidence today in Christ Jesus who is with us at
this Mass (and) who told you and all of us: ‘The Holy Spirit that the Father
will send in my name — He will teach you everything.’ ”
Prior
to the Mass, Anita McBride, a member of the society’s board of governors and a
fellow in residence at American University in Washington’s department of government
who formerly served as assistant to President George W. Bush and chief of staff
to First Lady Laura Bush, said St. Matthew’s Cathedral was a fitting church for
the Red Mass.
“This
cathedral church is named for St. Matthew the Apostle, the patron saint of
civil servants,” she said. “Appropriately, the choice of this patron
underscores the importance of all those who serve in the municipal, state and
national governments, as well as the many international organizations located
in the metropolitan area.”
She
added that the cathedral “plays a major role in the Catholic life of the
nation’s capital.”
At the end of the Mass,
Archbishop Gregory announced the names of four attorneys and one law firm who were
honored with the John Carroll Society’s Pro Bono Legal Awards in
recognition of volunteer service through the Catholic Charities Legal Network.
This year’s recipients of the Pro Bono Legal Awards are attorneys Lindsey Erdmann, Steven B. Mudd, Sanjay Jose
Mullick and Kathleen T. Wach, and the law firm of Wiley Rein LLP.
Noting
that on the same day as the Red Mass Pope Francis issued his encyclical “Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social
Friendship,” Archbishop Gregory said the encyclical “invites all people of
goodwill to care for one another as sisters and brothers, (and) these honorees
have done just that with fervor and compassion.”
Archbishop
Gregory pointed out this past year, the 750 attorneys and 50 law firms serving
through Catholic Charities Legal Network donated more than $3 million worth of
legal services and more than 5,000 hours to serve more than 3,000 clients.
“They are real legal heroes and they are changing lives,” Archbishop Gregory
said.
Because
of the coronavirus safety measures, the brunch that traditionally follows the Red
Mass was not held. The Pro Bono Legal Award honorees will be recognized when
larger gatherings can resume.
The
Red Mass is a tradition that dates back many centuries to Rome, Paris and
London. The name comes from the color of the liturgical vestments worn by the
celebrants and the color of fire, a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
The
John Carroll Society is a Washington area organization that provides spiritual,
intellectual, charitable and social opportunities for Catholic professionals
and businessmen and women in service to the Archbishop of Washington. Its
primary purpose is to assist the archbishop of Washington in his many works of
charity and community projects.
Msgr.
Vaghi noted that in attendance at the Mass were members of the United States
Supreme Court, including John G. Roberts Jr., the Chief Justice of the United
States, and “governmental officials serving at every level of government —
local, state and federal — and in various parts of the world.”
