From The Diocese
From the Office of the Bishop
From the Office of the Bishop...
October 1, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today as we begin to observe Respect Life month, we are called to reflect on the dignity of every human person.
The theme chosen by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops this year, “Be Not Afraid,” invites us to bravely embrace God’s gift of life from the moment of natural conception to the moment of natural death.
We can remain confident that we have nothing to fear, because Jesus promised he would always be with us. So, we go to the woman who is unexpectedly pregnant and fears the future, to the friend who fears reprisal at work because he makes a stand for the protection of human life, and to the aging relative in failing health who fears being a burden. We go because it is to these that Jesus beckons us to go with the hands and feet of Our Lord and in His Holy Name.
I encourage you to take to heart the theme “Be Not Afraid”. We are called to always treat each person with the compassion and respect that affirms the gift of his or her life. I invite you to consider participating in the 40 Days for Life prayer campaign which continues through November 5, 2017 and /or joining me and others at the March for Life in Raleigh on January 13, 2018.
May Our Lord Jesus Christ continuously bless you and protect you from all fear; and may Mary, the Mother of God, watch over you and guide you always.
In Christ,
Luis Rafael Zarama, J.C.L.
Bishop of Raleigh
October 1, 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today as we begin to observe Respect Life month, we are called to reflect on the dignity of every human person.
The theme chosen by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops this year, “Be Not Afraid,” invites us to bravely embrace God’s gift of life from the moment of natural conception to the moment of natural death.
We can remain confident that we have nothing to fear, because Jesus promised he would always be with us. So, we go to the woman who is unexpectedly pregnant and fears the future, to the friend who fears reprisal at work because he makes a stand for the protection of human life, and to the aging relative in failing health who fears being a burden. We go because it is to these that Jesus beckons us to go with the hands and feet of Our Lord and in His Holy Name.
I encourage you to take to heart the theme “Be Not Afraid”. We are called to always treat each person with the compassion and respect that affirms the gift of his or her life. I invite you to consider participating in the 40 Days for Life prayer campaign which continues through November 5, 2017 and /or joining me and others at the March for Life in Raleigh on January 13, 2018.
May Our Lord Jesus Christ continuously bless you and protect you from all fear; and may Mary, the Mother of God, watch over you and guide you always.
In Christ,
Luis Rafael Zarama, J.C.L.
Bishop of Raleigh
Saying goodbye is never easy. Over the past several weeks, Bishop Burbidge has had to say goodbye over and over again as he made his last visits to parishes, schools, and ministries of the Diocese of Raleigh. It all culminated last night with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Cary.
Below you can find video of his homily from the Mass as well as a recent interview on A Catholic Life podcast where he shared his thoughts about this major transition in his life, as well as that of the Dioceses of Raleigh and Arlington.
Homily from the Mass of Thanksgiving, November 30, 2016
His last interview in the Diocese of Raleigh studios
Below you can find video of his homily from the Mass as well as a recent interview on A Catholic Life podcast where he shared his thoughts about this major transition in his life, as well as that of the Dioceses of Raleigh and Arlington.
Homily from the Mass of Thanksgiving, November 30, 2016
His last interview in the Diocese of Raleigh studios
Promise to Protect & Pledge to Heal!
The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a promise to protect and a pledge to heal. We have administered over 2 million background checks to ensure the Catholic Church is one of the safest institutions in the country. Check out our video for more information about our efforts against child abuse.
The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a promise to protect and a pledge to heal. We have administered over 2 million background checks to ensure the Catholic Church is one of the safest institutions in the country. Check out our video for more information about our efforts against child abuse.
Prevent Child Abuse
Did you know that when a person is assaulted as a child, he or she may wait years or decades to tell another person about it? The reasons for this vary. Victims may want to deny the fact that someone they trusted could do this to them; they may want to just put it behind them. They may believe that they caused the assault by their behavior; or they may fear how other people will react to the truth. For more information on learning how you can help ensure the safety of children,
1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-53736). You may also call: The Diocese of Raleigh Office of Child and Youth Protection at 1-866-535-7233 or email safe@raldioc.org
Did you know that when a person is assaulted as a child, he or she may wait years or decades to tell another person about it? The reasons for this vary. Victims may want to deny the fact that someone they trusted could do this to them; they may want to just put it behind them. They may believe that they caused the assault by their behavior; or they may fear how other people will react to the truth. For more information on learning how you can help ensure the safety of children,
1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-53736). You may also call: The Diocese of Raleigh Office of Child and Youth Protection at 1-866-535-7233 or email safe@raldioc.org
To read a letter from Bishop Burbidge concerning National Child Abuse Prevention Month, please click here.
