Passover Greetings from the Archbishop
Now that this year’s observance of Passover is approaching, I want to extend to the local Jewish community my prayerful best wishes as you enter into this sacred time. I do so united with all the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The memory of Passover is one of divine liberation from slavery, oppression and suffering. Pharaoh’s strength is no match for the love and power of the Heavenly Father. As you know, however, Passover liberation is not solely a past event. We can draw great strength even today from this victory over evil.
Sadly, slavery, oppression and suffering have not vanished in the many centuries following the Passover victory. We read daily of societal violence, growing addictions and frightening international developments. We often feel powerless in what may appear to be the imminent triumph of evil.
In such dark moments, we turn anew to the shining memory of Passover. May this victory of freedom from slavery, cruel oppression and suffering encourage us to remember in our day that divine providence endures, that it always triumphs.
Once again, please accept the prayerful solidarity of your Catholic neighbors in these blessed days.
Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput | Archbishop of Philadelphia
Gun Legislation, but not Endless Regulation
I read with great interest the article about Shira Goodman and her views on gun ownership (“First-Time Candidate Sticks to Her Guns,” March 22). As a member of the NRA for 41 years, I, too, am in favor of universal background checks and, right after the terrible school shooting in Florida, I sent an email to Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) requesting that he and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) reintroduce their legislation on universal background checks on all modern firearms.
One other point that she makes is that the Second Amendment, like other constitutional rights, is not absolute, but she fails to mention that there are hundreds of state and federal gun laws already on the books. I don’t know of any other of our guaranteed rights that are so regulated. Remember that in Germany after World War I, the Weimar Republic instituted gun registration. When Hitler came into power he knew who had guns, and the first ones who lost their firearms were the Jews.
Mike Silverman | Willow Grove
