February 20, 2009
The Bishop's Forum
The political power of children in a democratic society
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Note: This column is one of a series which began during Catholic Schools Week.
I am an old man. Nonetheless, I have observed over my 48 years of priesthood and high school experience the power of the youth to influence society in the family, school and/or community. Yet, limited by their age, young people lack wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge tempered by personal experience.
I have also observed and witnessed the personal and collective urgency of our young people for the credible guidance of respected adults. They yearn for openness to questions. They are susceptible to simple black and white answers when spoken with unfounded authority. That is the danger of fundamentalism.
Children and young people have enormous power in the political arena in our democratic society. Be not disillusioned by their age. Children and young people have fears and hopes that go deeper and far beyond their home, their school or its athletic prowess or lack of it.
Your children and young people are far more adept in the use of all the electronic methods for interpersonal communication than most of us adults. Email is old-hat. Instant messaging is too! Twitter. Texting, FaceBook, Myspace and YouTube and PodCasts are the currency of their communication efforts.
Unfortunately, these same marvelous communications opportunities place our children and young people in harm’s way. The convenience of instantaneous possibilities denies them the need to think through the potential dangers of an innocent response.
You as parents must introduce your children to the avenues available for their personal opportunity to make a positive impact the legislation at the city, state and national levels in keeping with our faith.
I give you but one example: www.indianacc.org. Go there and see how it works! You may find yourself and your children empowered to be proactive, not just reactive to proposed or enacted legislation!
Please note the opportunities to communicate with our local, state and national leadership.
Another internet link is www.usscb.org. In short, what are the concerns and actions of the United Conference of Catholic Bishops?
Teach your children the TRUTH. In closing, I urge all parents to engage in the political process and encourage your children to learn of it. Study the issues before the Indiana General Assembly and the United States Congress. Have them, along with you, contact your legislators at the local, state and national levels.