Gospel Values in the Trump era. Letter from Claude Mostowik MSC

Dear Right Rev. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde,

I write to you on behalf of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre and Pax Christi Australia to thank you for the very dignified prophetic voice to speak truth to power during the National Cathedral's Service of Prayer for the Nation in Washington on Tuesday January 21.

Your pleas to President Trump for mercy, kindness, and justice on behalf LGBTIQ+ people, people who are immigrants and many other marginalised people in your country was a powerful expression of the commandment to love one another - our neighbours - as we love ourselves.

As your country honoured the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr on the same day it was an urgent reminder to the people of the United States and others beyond your country that silence in the face of violence and all forms of injustice is a failure to be people of hope - a hope that can only be created by action. When Dr King asserted that we need a heart full of grace in order serve, that grace was displayed in your pleadings at the Cathedral. Such grace is exceedingly rare in the public sphere.

As we thank you and express our appreciation, we are also mindful that many church and religious leaders have been silent as a genocide has unfolded, and have been silent against marginalised people in many places.

We hope that those who do raise their voices will continue to do so with courage.

Once again, a heartfelt appreciation and thanks.

Claude Mostowik msc

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Fr. Claude Mostowik msc

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Justice and Peace Centre

Pax Christi Australia

PO Box 146

Erskineville, NSW 2043

Mob: 0411450953

Ph: +61 2 8762 4224

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which I live and work, and pay my respects to Elders past and present.