Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Portland, Oregon
Catholic Speaker & Founder of Dynamic Deacon
From his Article entitled “Put Out Into The Deep”
On Tuesday, April 2, 2013, the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, welcomed its new shepherd, Alexander K. Sample. You can read more about Archbishop Sample and the installation Mass here: The Catholic Sentinel and Catholic World Report
I was truly inspired and heartened by Archbishop Sample’s fantastic homily (see an excerpt of it HERE) which he preached with conviction, authority, and zeal. The Archbishop outlined the pastoral priorities that will define his magisterium, including the “dictatorship of relativism”– a significant challenge since moral relativism, radical individualism, and subjective truth are woven into the fabric of Pacific Northwest culture, even in the Church. For example, there is a growing so-called “Catholic” women’s ordination movement (that has been publicly endorsed by several archdiocesan priests and lay leaders), as well as strong support and encouragement of the homosexual lifestyle in a number of Catholic parishes and educational institutions. His Excellency definitely has his work cut out for him and the honeymoon period will be short.
I, for one, am excited about Archbishop Sample’s presence here, and his commitment and dedication to the New Evangelization (as articulated by Blessed John Paul II) and to building a culture of life, both major themes in his installation homily. The Archbishop has my full and complete obedience, support, and respect.
Archbishop Sample’s episcopal motto is Vultum Christi Contemplari (“To Contemplate the Face of Christ”) and, in his homily, challenged us to duc in altum: put out into the deep. We cannot be afraid to cast the nets of objective truth, natural law, and the Good News of Jesus Christ far and wide into the deep waters of contemporary society. Like the fisherman of the Gospel, it may feel at times as if our evangelizing efforts are not bearing fruit–that our nets are empty–and we become frustrated. But if we continue to contemplate the face of Christ and persevere, encouraged by the bold and faith-filled leadership of our new Archbishop, our nets will be filled to breaking.
Please pray for Archbishop Sample and all of our shepherds.
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