Bishop congratulates president-elect
By Bishop Joseph N. Latino
As Bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, I offer my sincere congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama. Through our democratic process, our country has chosen him to lead our nation in a world filled with uncertainty and strife, but it is also a world full of hope for a better future for our children.
President-elect Barack Obama becomes the 44th president of our country at a time when we as a nation are facing dangerous and trying times. Loss of jobs for many; increasing cost of living; nation and world experiencing disastrous economic conditions; bankruptcies; wars and threats of wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Africa; growing threats of terrorism; etc., all of which are great challenges for him, our nation and the world.
His election as the first African American president is an historic moment in the life of the United States. So many people have suffered and even died so that this day would come and we cannot help but be moved by this moment. May the memory of those struggles by countless numbers of people – known and unknown – be a source of inspiration and guidance for him as he takes on this heavy responsibility.
We look to him to provide the leadership that will unite and not divide. Now is the time for American Catholics to join with all American religious denominations to help promote justice and foster the common good for all. This being said, I believe we – even in these difficult times – need to continue to speak clearly and persuasively that this is our duty as a people under one God.
It is our fervent prayer that he will use the powers of the office which has been entrusted to him by the people of this great country to heal the wounds of division and bring about a world of peace and justice, especially for the most vulnerable members of our society – the unborn, the poor, the marginalized and the elderly.
Our prayer for our new president and for all of us is that we all may one day be truly one!
