Be Not Afraid - Diocese of New Ulm

Be Not Afraid
Bishop John M. LeVoir’s Monthly Column
for The Prairie Catholic
June 2015
Freedom to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel
Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness
The “Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness” will take place from June 21 to July 4, 2015, a
time when our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of
persecution by political power: St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, Sts. Peter and
Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. The theme of this year’s Fortnight will focus on the
“freedom to bear witness” to the truth of the Gospel.
Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for Religious
Liberty, said: “Keeping the spirit of the Gospel means that Catholic institutions are to bear witness in love
to the full truth about the human person by providing social, charitable, and educational services in a
manner that fully reflects the God-given dignity of the human person.”
Here in the Diocese of New Ulm, I will celebrate an opening Mass on June 21 at 9:30 a.m. at the
Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm and a closing Mass on July 4 at 8 a.m., also at the cathedral.
All are welcome to attend.
(For more information, please see the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Web site,
www.usccb.org, and the Minnesota Catholic Conference Web site, www.mncc.org.)
National NFP Awareness Week
Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week will be celebrated from July 19 to 25, 2015. Natural
family planning is an umbrella term for certain methods of family planning used to achieve and avoid
pregnancies. These methods are based on observation of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of
the fertile and infertile phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
NFP reflects the dignity of the human person within the context of marriage and family life, promotes
openness to life, and recognizes the value of the child. By respecting the love-giving and life-giving
natures of marriage, NFP can enrich the bond between husband and wife. (Please see the USCCB Web
site for more information.)
Physician-assisted suicide and surrogacy
Both physician-assisted suicide and surrogacy are being promoted in our state. Both are contrary to the
dignity of the human person and on that basis are to be opposed. As Catholics, we have a right to let our
voices be heard in the public square on these issues.
“Assisted suicide is when someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to
take his or her own life with the intention that they be used for this purpose. Physician-assisted suicide is
when a doctor is the one who assists, such as by prescribing a lethal dose of medication” (Minnesota
Citizens Concerned for Life).
Assisted suicide and physician-assisted suicide are forms of euthanasia. The Catechism of the Catholic
Church defines euthanasia as “an action or an omission which, of itself or by intention, causes the death
of handicapped, sick, or dying persons – sometimes with an attempt to justify the act as a means of
eliminating suffering. Euthanasia violates the fifth commandment of the law of God” (no. 2277).
Surrogacy occurs when a woman agrees, often for pay, to give birth to a child resulting from artificial
insemination or the implantation of an already fertilized egg and surrenders any parental rights to a third
party.
What does the Church say about surrogacy? “Techniques that entail the dissociation of husband and wife,
by the intrusion of a person other than the couple (donation of sperm or ovum, surrogate uterus), are
gravely immoral. These techniques (heterologous artificial insemination and fertilization) infringe the
child’s right to be born of a father and mother known to him and bound to each other by marriage. They
betray the spouses’ ‘right to become a father and a mother only through each other’” (CCC, no. 2376).
Summer prayers
This fall there will be two events centered on the family that will have a great impact on the Church and
on society. One is the World Meeting of Families, scheduled to take place in Philadelphia from
September 22 to 25, 2015.
The other is the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family, which is
scheduled to take place in Vatican City from October 4 to 25, 2015. Please join Pope Francis and the
Catholic bishops of the United States in praying for these two events. (To learn more about these two
important events, please see the USCCB Web site.)
Commentary on the 2013-2014 financial information for the Diocese of New Ulm
Presented for your review in this issue of The Prairie Catholic is the “Statement of Activities” of the
Diocese of New Ulm for the fiscal year July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014 (see page 3). The figures are
taken from the financial statements of the diocese audited by a certified public accounting firm.
Under “Revenues,” please note the large “Net Unrealized and Realized Gains on Investments” for the
fiscal year of $1,574,440. Of this amount, $320,245 is “Realized Gain” and $1,254,195 is “Unrealized
Gain” or “Paper Gain” on investments. Last fiscal year (July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013), there was a “Net
Unrealized and Realized Gain” of $1,085,796.
The large “Net Unrealized and Realized Gains on Investments” for the fiscal year of $1,574,440 is, for the
most part, the reason for the “Change in Net Assets Before the ‘Christ Our Life’ Capital Campaign” of
$1,379,918. The current policy of the diocese is to keep its funds invested with Christian Brothers
Investment Services for the long term.
The figure for “Contributions restricted for construction of Pastoral Center” was $179,681.The reason for
this low number is that income from the “Christ Our Life” Campaign was recognized when pledges were
made (accrual basis), not when monies were collected (cash basis).
With the addition of the “Change in Net Assets” of $1,559,599 to the July 1, 2013, balance of
$19,114,564, the total “Net Assets” as of June 30, 2014, is $20,674,163. The pie charts show, by
percentage, the various accounts that compose the revenues and expenses of the diocese. The diocese has
been assured by its outside auditor that it remains in sound financial condition.
The diocese received an unqualified opinion on its financial statements. However, the auditor thought it
necessary to add in his opinion an “Emphasis of Matter.” This statement reads: “As discussed in Note 16
to the financial statements, the diocese is involved in several lawsuits and several claims related to alleged
abuse committed by former priests while serving in the diocese. As of the date of this report (Dec. 15,
2014), it is not possible to assess the extent of liability, if any, to the diocese. Our opinion is not modified
with respect to this matter.”
The Diocesan United Fund (DUF) is the total of the annual assessments charged to the 75 parishes of the
Diocese of New Ulm. Each parish’s assessment is based on the parish’s number of households, the
number of $50 (or more) donors, and Sunday offertory collections. The assessments totaled $1,497,499
for the fiscal year. The DUF funds are used to finance the operations of the Pastoral Center.
On the other hand, the Diocesan Ministries Appeal (DMA) supports ministries in the diocese, some of
which were started after the first DMA in 2006. These ministries include the education of our
seminarians, Catholic Charities, the permanent diaconate program, children and youth programs and
activities, and the ongoing education of lay ministers who serve day in and day out in the parishes. The
DMA contributions totaled approximately $1,025,000 for the 2013 campaign, with $700,000 going to the
diocese and $325,000 being returned to the parishes to be used for their needs.
The budgeting process for 2015-2016 is completed. Thank you to Tom Holzer and his staff for preparing
the budget. Thank you to the diocesan staff for keeping expenses down. The 2015-2016 budget has been
reviewed and recommended to me by the Finance Council, the Budget Review Committee (which
interviews the director of each of the offices of the Diocese of New Ulm), the Diocesan Pastoral Council,
the Priests’ Council, and the College of Consulters (composed of priests of the diocese).
I have accepted the budget. The projected revenues for 2015-2016 are $3,524,347 and the projected
expenses are $3,524,347, for a projected balanced budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
No Tengas Miedo
por Obispo John M. LeVoir
junio 2015
La Libertad para Servir a la Verdad del Evangelio
La “Quincena por la Libertad: La Libertad para Servir” se llevará a cabo del 21 de Junio al 4 de Julio,
2015, un fecha en que nuestro calendario litúrgico celebra una serie de grandes mártires que
permanecieron fieles a pesar de sufrir persecución religiosa de parte de las autoridades civiles: Santo
Tomás Moro, Santo Juan Fisher, Santo Juan Bautista, San Pedro y San Pablo y los primeros mártires de la
Iglesia de Roma. El tema de este año se centra en la “libertad para servir” a la verdad del evangelio.
Arzobispo William E. Lori de Baltimore, presidente del comité para la Libertad Religiosa en USCCB,
dijo: “Mantener el espíritu del Evangelio significa que las instituciones católicas han de dar testimonio en
el amor a la verdad sobre la persona humana, de proveer servicios educacionales sociales, caritativos y
educativos de manera que refleje la dignidad plena dada por Dios.” (para mayor información visite
www.usccb.org y la Conferencia Católica de Minnesota www.mncc.org).
Semana Nacional de Concientización sobre PFN
La Semana Nacional de concientización de la Planificación Familiar Natural (PFN) se llevará a cabo a
partir del 19 al 25 de Julio, 2015. La Planificación Familiar Natural es un término general para ciertos
métodos de planificación familiar utilizado para lograr y evitar embarazos. Estos métodos se basan en la
observación de los signos naturales y los síntomas de la fértil y fases infértiles de la mujer del ciclo
menstrual.
PFN refleja la dignidad de la persona humana dentro del contexto de la vida familiar y conyugal,
promueve la apertura a la vida y reconoce el valor de cada niño. Respetando el amor que se da y la vida
que se da, por naturaleza en el matrimonio, la PFN enriquece el vínculo entre los esposos. (para mayor
información consulte la página web de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos en los Estados Unidos).
Suicidio con asistencia médica y la maternidad subrogada
En nuestro estado se fomenta el suicidio con asistencia médica y la maternidad subrogada. Ambos son
contrarios a la dignidad de la persona humana. Como católicos, tenemos el derecho a dejar que nuestras
voces sean escuchadas en la plaza pública sobre estos temas.
“El suicidio con asistencia ocurre cuando alguien facilita los medios y la información necesarios para
permitir que el paciente ejecute un acto que termine con su vida. Por ejemplo, el médico que suministra
una medicina potencialmente letal e información sobre la dosis letal y cómo administrarla, sabiendo que
el paciente puede cometer suicidio. (Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life).
El suicidio con asistencia y el suicidio con asistencia por un médico son formas de eustanacia. El
Catequismo de la Iglesia Católica define eutanasia: “Una acción o una emisión que, de suyo o en la
intención en poner fin a la vida de personas enfermas o moribundas – a veces con un intento de justificar
el acto como un medio para eliminar el sufrimiento. La eutanasia viola el quinto mandamiento de la ley
de Dios” (CCC, no. 2277).
La maternidad subrogada es cuando la mujer está de acuerdo, casi siempre por una suma de dinero, lleva
el embarazo y da a luz a un bebe que le pertenece a otro padres genéticamente y legalmente. Para
alcanzar el embarazo de la madre gestacional, se utiliza la fecundación in vitro o inseminación artificial.
¿Qué dice la Iglesia sobre la maternidad subrogada? “las técnicas que provocan una disociación de la
paternidad por intervención de una persona extraña a los cónyuges (donación del esperma o del óvulo,
préstamo de útero) son gravemente deshonestas. Estas técnicas (inseminación y fecundación artificiales
heterólogas) lesionan el derecho del niño a nacer de un padre y una madre conocidos de él y ligados entre
sí por el matrimonio. Quebrantan “su derecho a llegar a ser padre y madre exclusivamente el uno a través
del otro’” (CCC, no. 2376).
Información sobre Finanzas 2013-2014 para la Diócesis de New Ulm
A continuación en esta edición del Prairie Catholic es la “Declaración de Actividades” para el año fiscal
del 1 de Julio, 2013 al 30 de Junio, 2014 de la Diócesis de New Ulm (ver página 3). Las cifras se obtienen
de la declaración financiera ya auditados por una firma de contadores públicos.
El Fondo Diocesano (DUF) es el total de la cuota anual que se cobra a las 75 parroquias en la Diócesis de
New Ulm en función al número de hogares, las colectas durante los ofertorios de los domingos y el
número de $50 (o más) donantes. Las evaluaciones totalizan $1,497,499 para el año fiscal. Los fondos
DUF se utilizan para financiar las operaciones del Centro Pastoral.
Por otro lado, el DMA (Campaña para los Ministerios Diocesanos) apoya los ministerios en la diócesis,
algunos comenzaron después del primer DMA en el 2006. Estos ministerios incluyen la educación de
nuestros seminaristas, Caridades Católicas, el programa del Diaconado Permanente, programas para la
niñez y la juventud y la educación continua de Ministros Laicos que continúan sirviendo día a día en
nuestras parroquias. En el 2013 las contribuciones del DMA sumó $1,025,000 aproximadamente, con
$700,000 para la diócesis y $325,000 regresó a las parroquias respectivamente.
El proceso de elaboración del presupuesto para el 2015-2016 ha terminado. Agradezco a Tom Holzer y a
su personal administrativo por preparar el presupuesto. Gracias al equipo administrativo diocesano por
mantener los gastos bajos. El presupuesto 2015-2016 ha sido revisado y recomendado por el Consejo de
Finanzas, el Comité de Revisión de Presupuesto (quien entrevista al director de cada oficina de la
Diócesis de New Ulm), el Consejo Pastoral Diocesano y el Colegio de Consultores (integrada por
sacerdotes de la diócesis). He aceptado el presupuesto. Los ingresos proyectados para el 2015-2016 es
de $3,524,347 y los gastos proyectados es de $3,524,347, para un presupuesto equilibrado para el año
fiscal 2015-2016.