& the Winner of the Winter 2009 Cardinal von Galen Award is.....

No surprize, Bishop Joseph Francis Martino, Diocese of Scranton. (applause here, a standing ovation would be appropriate as well)

As the article in Front Lines announcing it says: "In a year that saw tremendous challenges for the Catholic Church in the United States, Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton, Pennsylvania showed exceptional leadership."

The article goes on to say: "He lived up to the example of his patron saint, the defender of the Holy Family (in sharp contrast to Joe Biden, who makes frequent refernces to his birth and upbringing in Scranton). Bishop Martino let the faithful know exactly why the Church does not see abortion as one among many social issues, but rather as the most pressing human rights violation at this moment in history. 'No social issue has caused the deaths of 50 million people,' he told a gathering in a Scranton parish prior to the election." (emphasis mine)

The article goes on to point out that what is "most heartening" is the measurable effect of his strong stand last Fall had on Catholic voting in Pennsylvania. There a clear majority of Catholics voted against anti-life Obama, unlike the rest of the nation. As his pastorial letter for Respect Life Sunday 2008 clearly stated: "It is a tragic irony that 'pro-choice' candidates have come to support homicide - the gravest injustice a society can tolerate - in the name of 'social justice.'" The same letter pointed out the bitter consequences of the Sexual Revolution being reaped 40 years after Humanae vitae.

The article goes on to laud the Bishop for his work in the defense of marriage as an institution between a man & a woman. It hilites his pastoral letter on the subject. & especially his debunking the myth that Catholics shouldn't bring their faith & morals into the voting booth. "In the long run, we serve our country best by remembering that we are citizens of heaven first. We are, in fact, better Americans when we are truly Catholic."

The article concludes by saying: "Cardinal von Galen is a hero of Bishop Martino's, which is one more reason he is an excellent recipient of our Cardinal von Galen Award for Pro-Life Leadership. Both of these prelates spoke 'truth to power' courageously. Bishop Martino has received attacks for his willingness to denounce evils clearly and boldly, but he will not be silenced. 'Our Lord, Jesus Christ, does not ask us to follow him to Calvary only for us to be afraid of contradicting a few bystanders along the way. He does not ask us to take up his Cross only to gave us leave it at the voting booth door.' HLI's prayer is that the Lord will raise up many more bishops like Joseph Martino throughout His Church in our time of need."

I totally agree with HLI's choice. & add my "AMEN!" to their prayer. Bishop Martino has not only done what way too many Bishops failed to do last year, he did it in the face of a lot of criticism. But, he not only didn't let it stop him, as I have pointed out in recent posts, he has continued to show why he deserves the award. His recent dealings with Miserecordia University, his statement to the groups who host St. Patrick's Day celebrations & his public rebuke of Sen. Casey show that he is not about to let up. All these things occurred after HLI's Winter 2009 issue of Front Lines went to press. Otherwise, I am sure they would have been noted as additional reasons for his deserving the award.

I firmly believe that Bishop Martino is being used powerfully by God. I also supect that he will eventually be made a "Prince of the Church" like his hero, von Clemens, for his willingness to let God work through him. Bishop Martino is an example of a priest who is truly & faithfully living out his vocation.

Tommorrow: The Winter 2009 Millstone Award

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"Clemens August von Galen, Bishop of Muenster, is a name that struck fear into the heart of Adolph Hitler in the 30s and 40s. The supporters of Bishop von Galen so admired his courage in standing up for the victims of the Nazi euthanasia program that they called him the “Lion of Muenster.” An award in the name of Cardinal von Galen is given by Human Life International to the Catholic priest or prelate who, like von Galen, has stood against the aggressions of the culture of death and who shows the Church and the world that the moral conscience can never be silenced."