November 18, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In his encyclical, “God is Love,” Pope Benedict XVI states, “love for widows and orphans, prisoners, and the sick and needy of every kind is as essential to [the Church] as the ministry of the sacraments and preaching of the Gospel. The Church cannot neglect the service of charity any more than she can neglect the sacraments and the Word.” Indeed, from the beginning, the Catholic Church has understood the love of one’s neighbor not as a commandment imposed from without, but rather as a consequence arising from faith: “faith which expresses itself through love” (Galatians 5:6). The same is true for our own local Church. In the 52-year history of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, the Catholic faithful of Southern Missouri have left a remarkable legacy of Christian charity through the faith-filled service of individuals, parishes, hospitals, schools, shelters, clinics, food banks, centers and other apostolates.
In our own day, I believe the time has come for us as a Church to commit ourselves to love in a new way. As the bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, I am directing that the diocese form a Catholic Charities agency to be known as “Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri.” I do this after much prayer and reviewing extensive work, consultation and research, much of which occurred prior to my arrival as your bishop. I have also consulted with the Diocesan Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Both groups have enthusiastically recommended forming an agency.
Within the next few weeks I will be asking a number of leaders from our diocese to serve on an interim board of directors. This interim board will create the infrastructure that will be required for this agency. My hope is that this board will complete its work within twelve to eighteen months. Only upon the completion of the work of the interim board will the agency begin to function and provide services.
I am also appointing Dr. Donald Emge to serve as the interim director of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri. As interim director, his primary role will be to assist and coordinate the interim board in their deliberations and work. Dr. Emge will continue in his position on the Catholic Center staff.
This is a momentous step for our diocesan Church. We are all aware of challenges facing Americans, many of them economic. However, we are also aware that charity is a fruit always in season, and something that we are “impelled” to do by the love of Christ that is within us (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:14). Indeed, it is the love of Christ which we have encountered in our own lives that makes the work of Catholic Charities special. Again, I note the words of the Holy Father: “For the Church, charity is not a kind of welfare activity which could equally well be left to others, but is part of her nature, an indispensable expression of her very being.” My deep hope is that the formation of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri will bring focus, organization and clarity to this essential part of the Church’s mission. It will not replace the many works of charity that are currently being carried out by our Church, but enhance and complement them, while addressing some of the many unmet needs.
I purposely chose to announce this initiative today, November 18, the feast of our diocesan patroness, Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne. She was a woman of profound love who gave her life to those in need here in Missouri. I entrust this initiative to her intercession and that of Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted and Mother of the Church.
Given this 18th day of November, in the year of our Lord, 2008, at the Catholic Center in Springfield.
Most Reverend James V. Johnston, Jr., D.D., J.C.L.
Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
Reverend Monsignor Thomas E. Reidy, V.G.
Chancellor
To learn more about Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, click
here.