USCCB president: “I beg you to see Christ in every person, even those whose politics you oppose”

WASHINGTON – On the fifth anniversary of Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis’ encyclical letter on fraternity and social friendship, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released an invitation for reflection.
 
Encouraging every American to reflect on the value of every human life and to see Christ in every person, including in those who hold differing thoughts, he challenged: “Each of us should examine our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions and ask ourselves how we contribute to the polarization and animosity plaguing our nation. We should also put into practice those behaviors that can help us begin to heal the rifts between us.”
 
Read Archbishop Broglio’s reflection:
 
“Come, Holy Spirit, show us your beauty, reflected in all the peoples of the earth.”
 
As shepherd to our nation’s uniformed service members and their families, I have known the pain that the violence of war inflicts on men and women and those closest to them. Trained military chaplains work tirelessly to help servicemembers and families heal from the wounds of war. This ministry has changed my life forever. Today, grievous acts of violence have intruded into the daily lives of too many Americans—an experience that, tragically, many civilians around the world have long endured. Places once regarded as safe harbors to grow and learn—our schools, universities, and churches—have become sites of heartbreaking tragedy and bloodshed.  
 
Five years ago, in his encyclical Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis outlined steps our world must take to rebuild a sense of communion in the wake of what he described as “shattered dreams.” As the encyclical prophetically points out, people are being manipulated “to serve as tools for domination, as meaningless tags that can be used to justify any action.” We have seen the manifestation of this notion in the perverse idea that one can serve the common good by becoming an instrument of violence. This happens when we refuse to see the face of Christ in the other person and only see an enemy that must be dominated or destroyed. Tragically, decent people of every political persuasion continue to fall victim to this deadly trend. Too much of everyday life is strained by hostility and division, which has resulted in shocking acts of political violence.
 
The wisdom Pope Francis offers reminds us that “authentic reconciliation does not flee from conflict, but is achieved in conflict, resolving it through dialogue and open, honest and patient negotiation.” “The path to social unity,” he stresses, “always entails acknowledging the possibility that others have, at least in part, a legitimate point of view, something worthwhile to contribute, even if they were in error or acted badly.” Building peace in our nation “requires us to place at the center of all political, social, and economic activity the human person from conception to natural death, who enjoys the highest dignity, and respect for the common good.”
 
I ask every American to reflect on the value of every human life. I beg you to see Christ in every person, even those whose politics you oppose. Each of us should examine our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions and ask ourselves how we contribute to the polarization and animosity plaguing our nation. We should also put into practice those behaviors that can help us begin to heal the rifts between us. Consider performing a corporal work of mercy—feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Consider fasting from social media for one day a week or in the evening. Pray for your enemies. Listen and talk with those you with whom you disagree—especially within your own family. Disagree, debate civilly, stand for your rights, but always remember in your heart that we are all children of God and deserve dignity and life.  
 
On this fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Fratelli tutti, let us pray “so that we may discover anew that all are important and all are necessary, different faces of the one humanity that God so loves. Amen.”