End-of-the-year columns provide an opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and project what the future might hold in the next 12.
The diocese has witnessed major changes in 2021 – none bigger than the departure of Bishop Robert Brennan for the Diocese of Brooklyn, New York as its new bishop.
The Real Presence Real Future initiative began in earnest and featured 40 Hours of Adoration, a Day of Reconciliation, a Eucharistic Gathering, an Evangelization Summit and virtual sessions to provide information to parishioners and seek their input.
Other notable events in 2021 included a group of abortion supporters breaching Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral to stage a despicable protest during the annual pro-life Mass.
The COVID crisis continued after it was supposed to dissipate with the introduction of shots to combat the coronavirus. Instead, variants developed and wreaked more havoc. There was a massive government push for vaccinations and threatened mandates for employees who work for companies with 100-plus employees.
The Catholic Church celebrated the Year of St. Joseph, and most parishes in the Diocese of Columbus returned to full capacity at Masses, though some restrictions were again put in place in December at various parishes. Catholic schools also remained open for in-person learning.
There really was no resolution from the hierarchy about how to handle individuals who present themselves for Holy Communion while openly defying Church teaching on abortion, artificial contraception and euthanasia.
Mixed signals were sent from Rome on a variety of life, family and gender issues. The promotion of a progressive agenda on a variety of Church and climate matters continues, and there is an inexplicable, restrictive crackdown on the Traditional Latin Mass purported to foster unity among Catholics but likely to be highly divisive.
Most troubling remains the attacks on religious freedom in this country and the erosion of individual liberties. And there’s good reason to believe that 2022 could see more of the same.
A more hopeful sign is the increase in restrictions on abortion at the state level, including in Ohio, and the possible demise of Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that made abortion legal in all 50 states.
If that happens, the magnitude of that moment will be the culmination of nearly 50 years of effort by tireless pro-life heroes. At the same time, expect the protests and riots from abortion supporters to be even more destructive than the Black Lives Matter riots in 2020.
U.S. bishops will continue to emphasize the importance of the Eucharist and belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the sacred host. Meanwhile, the world watches and becomes more confused about why Catholics don’t follow and enforce their own rules on who receives the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion.
The worldwide Synod on Synodality, which started in 2021, will be carried out here and in other dioceses throughout the world in 2022. This process was called for by the Holy See to gather feedback from Catholics on their needs and how they see the Church today.
May God bless each of you with an increase in faith, hope and charity in 2022. And may He bring an end to the pandemic and grant you good health.