Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated Mass on the feast of St. Thomas More, patron of the Arlington diocese, at the start of Religious Freedom Week June 22 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington.
Due to ongoing renovations of the cathedral, the Mass was celebrated in Burke Hall.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge touched on some of the renovations, including a statue of the patron that will be outside.
“St. Thomas more was indeed strong and steadfast as he lived his faith and did not compromise it; as he followed his well-informed conscience and did not violate it; as he loved his country; but remained God’s servant first; even to the point of embracing martyrdom,” said Bishop Burbidge. “And because he had the truth and lived it and trusted in God’s holy will, he was serene even to the moment of death.”
He said St. Thomas More “is a powerful reminder that, like our patron, we are to bring our faith from inside the church, and outside into the world, including our workplaces, schools and communities. As we do, we may not be martyred, but in this day age there will be a cost, including ridicule, being falsely labeled, and maybe even canceled and rejected. This is what is happening to good and holy people every day: intimidation and threats for simply being true to the faith they profess and to the virtues and values they hold dear.
“Of course, this also occurs on the world level, especially in countries where people are imprisoned and killed for professing their faith. It occurs on the national level, especially in the world of health care where providers are forced to violate their beliefs; where homes of pro-life families are invaded; when groups who mock Catholics are honored at a stadium and the list continues. On the local level, we have even seen the destruction of church property and parents being ousted for questioning the falsehoods being taught to their children.
“Through the intercession of St. Thomas More, may we too be strong and serene as we bring our faith and deeply held religious convictions from inside the church and outside into the world, remaining God’s servants first today and always.”
