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Thomas More sets example for Catholic lawyers

By Steve Neill
Of The Catholic Virginian

Religion in public life was never much of an issue in the past, but the same is not so today, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo told those gathered at Richmond’s annual Red Mass Oct. 29 at St. Benedict Church in Richmond.

“Catholics got to America, generally speaking, as economic refugees,” he said.

After becoming U.S. citizens, they registered to vote and cast their ballots and “inevitably, they would simply do their duty and you wouldn’t hear much about religion in public life,” Bishop DiLorenzo said.

The Bishop made his statements during the homily at the Red Mass which seeks the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the work of justice of judges and lawyers. The annual event, held the past three years at St. Benedict’s, is sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society.

Although many people are passionate about their political views and convictions, few today could compare to St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, the Bishop asserted.

“Both had to figure out how to handle problems and both paid the final price because they lost their lives,” he said.

Thomas More, who was born in England in 1478, was married and had four children although he had earlier considered religious life. “He was a real disciple of the Lord,” Bishop DiLorenzo said. “He did God’s loving will every day of his life.”

The Bishop suggested that Catholic lawyers today face a lot of cultural and family pressures similar to those Thomas More faced after he challenged the defiance of King Henry VIII against the Church of Rome.

“He acknowledged sin in his life and was able to move forward with God’s forgiveness and peace,” he said.

“We all invoke Thomas More as our patron to be a good Catholic person in the judiciary to do the best we can for God’s people.”

In concluding his message, the Bishop thanked those of the legal profession for their service to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Richmond branch of the St. Thomas More Society has about 100 members and meets quarterly, said Eric Gregory, who is with the Virginia Attorney General’s office.

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