“In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course… Let us stand fast in what is right and prepare our souls for trial… Let us be neither dogs that do not bark nor silent onlookers nor paid servants who run away before the wolf. Instead let us be careful shepherds watching over Christ’s flock. Let us preach the whole of God’s plan to the powerful and to the humble, to rich and to poor, to men of every rank and age, as far as God gives us the strength, in season and out of season.” (St. Boniface)

Sometimes the writings of the saints seem to jump out at us. As I write this column, it is primary election day, and this coming Friday we are rallying for religious freedom. Listening to the media, sadly even the “Catholic” media, we are presented with a Church seemingly as polarized as our society. Stories of scandal and intrigue abound, and yet, the main thrust of the Church, the day in and day out work of prayer, of offering the Mass, of feeding the poor, of caring for the sick, of teaching the Word of God; that is not what most people see of the Church.

Over the last several weeks, I have been privileged to attend a number of our Catholic school graduations. Great dreams are shared, memories remembered, tears shed, and most of all prayers said and the Mass offered for the gift our students have been given and for the future that is opening ahead of them. Hearing their accomplishments is always a great source of hope for me in the future of our Church and our world. They have tremendous gifts, and I pray that the foundation of faith laid will bear much fruit in the years ahead.

Yet, today there are real issues that face all of us. The growing threat to our religious freedom is not a partisan issue; it is a fundamental right, the most basic right supported by Catholic social teaching that all people should have the right not just to believe what they choose but to live those beliefs unhindered by governmental interference. The separation of Church and state is an important issue. Most people forget that it is not just meant to protect the nation from religion, it is also meant to protect religion from the nation.

St. Boniface was on his way to a Confirmation ceremony for a vast number of converts in 754 when he was killed by a group that opposed the conversion of people to Christianity. Many historians say the Church is at her best when she opposes the forces of the world and stands with the side of truth.  It might just be that we are turning a corner, moving from a sad time when many sins occurred under the cover of darkness into a time when we will be called to stand up for the light of truth. So let us not be dogs that do not bark!

Father Douglas Freer serves as vicar for Catholic education.