Bishop Byrne’s letter in support of the Holy Father
SPRINGFIELD – Bishop William D. Byrne sent the following letter in support of Pope Leo XIV:
My dear brothers and sisters,
It has always been the mission of our Church to preach unceasingly the Gospel, regardless of its popularity or how it might challenge some to re-think their ways. This is not “political” speech or action, rather it is our baptismal mandate, the very fabric of our spiritual being.
Just as Christ was about to ascend into heaven, he gave his disciples this binding commission, to preach and live out the Gospel, bringing it to all the ends of the earth.
This is now the primary task of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. As the successor of St. Peter, he must always speak truth to power no matter the discomfort it may cause some, those who perhaps only seek validation through their relationship with God.
Pope Leo XIV has undertaken, with great fidelity to Church teaching, this papal mission, to bring the Good News to all corners of the world, always in harmony with our Catholic faith, our spiritual foundation.
May Pope Leo XIV remain in our fervent prayers as he acts without fear and speaks without reservation, bringing through his papal travels and outreach the Good News to all he encounters.
And so in unity with him and Catholics everywhere I pray…
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life..”
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life..”
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
In Christ,
Bishop William D. Byrne
Bishop of Springfield