Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien - Thoughts on Our Church

The following columns were written by Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien and appeared in the Catholic Review.

From the outset of its journey of synodal reflection and learning, Study Group 9 has drawn inspiration from a central biblical image: the events narrated in chapters 10-15 of the Acts…

We depend on one another, support one another, complement the gifts and talents of one another, and together, out of many living stones there emerges the unified and beautiful vision – Christ, united to his people, a people who announce with joy how Christ called them from darkness to light.

All of this prepared us to listen as Christ speaks of himself as the Good Shepherd,
who opens the door to eternal life for us and who is himself the way.

In a culture that often prizes visibility, immediacy, and recognition,
your work reminds us of something deeply evangelical:
that the Kingdom of God often advances quietly, like a seed planted in hidden soil, like yeast working through the dough, like grace at work in a human heart.

From the grace of the Holy Spirit we derive
not merely human satisfaction and a fleeting happiness,
but irreplaceable joy and peace and a depth of love beyond amazement.

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The recent public exchanges involving the President of the United States and Pope Leo XIV have been a source of concern for many of the faithful. While moments of disagreement between leaders are not new, the manner in which we speak about one another – especially across such significant offices – matters greatly.

Through the prayers of Pope St. John Paul II and St. Faustina Kowalska, coupled with the prayers of our beloved founder, Blessed Michael McGivney – formed in this very chapel for the Holy Priesthood – may we, as leaders of the Knights of Columbus believe in, receive, and bear witness to God’s mercy, saying by our very lives, “Jesus, I trust in Thee!”

We gather this evening in solidarity with Pope Leo XIV to pray for peace. Whenever armed conflict erupts, as we see now in the Middle East, a cacophony of voices rises – some in support, others in protest.

Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien – Thoughts on Our Church