Archbishop Lori offers encouragement to charitable agencies affected by federal cuts

At a time when federal funding cuts are straining the services of charitable organizations across the region, Archbishop William E. Lori offered a message of hope and solidarity during a special “Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice” celebrated June 11 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

The Mass recognized the critical work of Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Concelebrating with Archbishop Lori were Bishop Mark E. Brennan of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, Auxiliary Bishop Roy Edward Campbell Jr. of the Archdiocese of Washington, and Bishop William E. Koenig of the Diocese of Wilmington.

“In recent months, the U.S. government abruptly suspended refugee resettlement funding and halted international humanitarian aid – forcing the church and its agencies to lay off employees, terminate programs, and, most painfully, turn away those most in need,” Archbishop Lori said in his homily. “These decisions have done more than disrupt logistics – they have frayed bonds of trust that are essential to our mission of mercy.”

The archbishop said erosion of trust has not only happened in international aid decisions, “but here at home as well.”

“Recent immigration raids have left many families shaken, not because they were hiding wrongdoing, but because the enforcement actions were carried out in ways that provoked fear and anxiety among ordinary, hard-working immigrants – our neighbors, our parishioners, our friends,” he said. “While governments have the right to enforce laws, they must do so with humanity and prudence. It is never necessary to instill fear in order to ensure order.  The peace we are called to build cannot be reconciled with tactics that sow division and dread in our communities.”

Now is the time to remember that “the Gospel does not promise us ease or clarity. But it does promise that the Holy Spirit is with us and that Jesus will breathe peace into our chaos,” he said. 

It is important “to remain present,” the archbishop said, even if that means providing services in different ways. Most importantly, he said, “advocate without fear” and “still show up for those in need.”

“The Risen Jesus does not leave us behind locked doors. He enters, even now, with a word of peace and a command to go out,” Archbishop Lori said. “Go, not in despair, but with the strength of the cross and the peace of Christ.”

Applause filled the cathedral after the archbishop’s homily.

Changes in federal policies have had a dramatic effect on the work of charitable organizations over the last few months. Catholic Relief Services, the bishops’ Baltimore-based international relief agency, for example, said May 21 that most of its projects under a federal international food aid program were terminated, leaving hundreds of thousands of children more vulnerable to hunger. More than 780,000 children across 11 countries will be left without their school meal, in many cases their only meal of the day, as a result of the termination of 11 out of CRS’ 13 projects under the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, according to a report by OSV News. Cuts in foreign aid are also expected to drastically limit CRS’s outreach.  

Prior to the Mass, Mary Helfrich, chief advancement officer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, said in an interview that the Mass would help “reinforce to our donors and supporters that we are an integral part of the area.” While the nonprofit is “fairly stable” right now, if it loses funding for programs, it would have a “ripple effect”  where “people could lose their homes,” she said.

“I think people in the community outside of our donor base may not realize the significance of our programs,” Helfrich said. “We do so much more than just shelter. We’re trying to provide as many resources as we can to help folks get ahead.”

Cindy Halloran, local conference president of St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park, said the archbishop’s homily was “what we all needed.” 

“It lifted me,” she said. “It was beautiful.”

Bill O’Keefe, executive vice president for Mission, Mobilization and Advocacy at Catholic Relief Services, also was moved by the homily.

“It has been a very long tough year,” O’Keefe said. “That was incredible …to feel solidarity and to be reminded of the mission of service.”

During the Mass, which attracted more than 400, Archbishop Lori recognized Kristen Kinkopf, a volunteer at the cathedral, for approaching him with the idea for the Mass. Kinkopf’s husband, David Kinkopf, is the incoming director of Catholic Charities of Baltimore.

“This was a beautiful celebration,” David Kinkopf said, afterward. “It resonated so clearly with the people.”

Amy Mason, outreach coordinator for the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier in Hunt Valley, thought the evening was a perfect way to recognize and support the organizations during this time.

“Prayer is the one of those things we can do together,” Mason said. “Together we can pray for peace and good.”

Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org

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