Published July 8, 2006

The poor are always with us

"Pentecost 2006: Building a Covenant for a New America" wants to focus on eliminating poverty in the United States and in the world.

They seem mystified and envious of the power of the Christian conservatives and want them to join in this effort, but to put on hold the hot-button issues of the day.

This seems to be very political and optimistic, first to get liberals and conservatives working together, and second, to eliminate poverty. The Church must continue teaching the gospel message to love God and neighbor. Getting rid of poverty is a complex issue. It involves laws, families, workers, employers, schools and how to educate children to love God and neighbor and be productive and responsible members of society.

I don't think the debate on abortion and same-sex marriage will go away, nor should it. When the courts make decisions that go contrary to the will of the people on such fundamental issues, they cause great damage.

The Supreme Court of the United States did that in the Dred Scott decision in 1857. It basically said that a slave was not a person but property.

In 1973 in Roe v. Wade they said an unborn child is not a person and has no right to life. The Dred Scott decision was reversed. We still await the reversal of Roe v. Wade. These issues cannot be put on the back burner. They will not go away.

THE REV. GENE FRILOT

Pastor Emeritus

Incarnation Catholic Church