Editor's Note
Noticing the Naked
When I consider the Corporal Works of Mercy, “clothe the naked” seems to encompass a multitude of needs. Who are the naked? A person without clothes is at the mercy of the weather, but there are many others who are unprotected and in danger from the “elements” in our society. The unborn. The uneducated. The undocumented. The “unforgivable” – prisoners on death row. The incapacitated and the elderly. In other parts of the world you can include civilians caught up in wars; those who are targets of ethnic cleansing; women.
This particular work of mercy, then, points out a need that might go unnoticed among the more obvious necessities like food and drink and shelter. It recognizes the need of many in our society for defense, for advocates in a potentially cruel world. And while Jesus identifies himself with all those in need, the ones he calls “the least of these,” perhaps the plight of the defenseless is most like his own. When he was condemned, even his closest followers were afraid to speak up for him.
Our cover story this month – Respect Life Month -- features the Gabriel Project. Gabriel volunteers help pregnant women and new mothers practically, emotionally and spiritually. The benefit extends to their children: the support from these volunteers is often a crucial factor in a mother’s decision to carry her child to term, and her ability to care for her child and herself in a healthy way.
As I listened to Gabriel Project success stories, I realized that the world was replete with people – contributing, creating, loving people – whose existence had depended at some critical moment on defenders, on people who appeared like angels and said or did something that tipped the balance toward life. These defenders weren’t necessarily members of an organization. They simply recognized someone’s nakedness – their vulnerability -- and stepped forward with a cloak. Our challenge as followers of Jesus is to be attuned, as he always was, to the vulnerable around us, and to defend them.
In another matter, I want to extend an apology to Sister Claudia Bronsing, O.S.F. In our profile of St. Bernadette Parish in Fuquay-Varina (NCC July-August 2006), I neglected to mention her huge role in the history of that community: Sr. Elizabeth was Pastoral Administrator of St. Bernadette in the ‘90s and oversaw the capital campaign that made construction of the current church building possible.
Thanks as always for writing me with your reactions to NC Catholics. Your letters are a huge help as I try to discover and communicate the many inspiring stories in our diocese. You can write me at 715 Nazareth St., Raleigh, NC or reece@raldioc.org.