Miles to go

by Bishop John C. Nienstedt

This month I wish to reflect with you on two timely subjects: first, the immorality of embryonic stem cell research, as opposed to the medical possibilities of adult stem cell research; secondly, the significance behind my forthcoming ad limina visit to Rome.

Unfortunately, there was much shared ignorance bandied about during the recent national election campaign with regard to stem cell research. A "stem cell" is essentially a "blank" cell which is capable of becoming another, more differentiated cell type in the body, capable of replacing or healing damaged tissue. There are four basic sources: embryonic stem cell (obtained from 5-7 day old living human embryos), embryonic germ cells (obtained from a miscarried or aborted fetus), umbilical cord stem cells (obtained from umbilical cords, placentas and amniotic fluid), adult tissues (from bone marrow, liver, epidermis, retina, skeletal muscle, intestine, brain, dental pulp, fat from liposuction, as well as the human brain of cadavers). The first category involves the destruction of a human being and is, therefore, morally wrong. The second category would be permitted as long as the fetus had not been aborted, but was rather the result of a natural miscarriage. The last two, however, are morally legitimate and provide great hope for research because: 1) those cells have proven to be as flexible as embryonic types; 2) one's immune system is less likely to reject one's own stem cells; 3) they are easy to procure; 4) they are less likely to form tumors than the embryonic type.

What is of great significance, but again has had limited media attention, is the fact that adult stem cells have already been successfully used in human therapies for many years for spinal cord injuries, to cure leukemia, to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease as well as other disorders of the nervous system. In contrast, no therapies on human beings have been successfully carried out using embryonic stem cells. Research with embryonic stem cells will, no doubt, continue due to private funding. The political question is whether your tax dollar and mine should pay for it through federal or state funding. This is the new slippery slope toward diminishing the inherent dignity of human life. Adult human stem cells can do the job in a morally acceptable way. We should leave the research at that.

Moving on to my second topic, next month I will travel to Rome with the other bishops of Region VIII to make my ad limina (translated: "to the threshold") visit to the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, the first great apostles of the Church. We will pray and celebrate the Holy Eucharist near the tombs of these faithful pastors. At the same time, we will be received, both individually and as a group, by the successor of St. Peter, Pope John Paul II. We will also visit the various dicasteries of the Vatican Curia to discuss pressing pastoral concerns.

In preparation for this visit, I and the members of the Diocesan staff have compiled a self-study of activities in the Diocese these past six years: two under the leadership of the late Bishop Lucker, one year of "sede vacante," and three years under my administration. A summary of the original hundred page report is printed elsewhere in this edition today. I encourage you to read it. Such a document gives us an opportunity to see the rich blessings God continues to pour forth. At the same time, it points out areas for improvement in the future. Overall, it is an extremely important exercise in ecclesial accountability.

In his recent book, Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way, the Holy Father speaks of the helpful insights he has gained from these visits of the bishops world-wide. At the same time, however, they also have a direct impact on strengthening the bonds of spiritual and ecclesial communio that lies at the heart of the Church's unity. We are members of the Body of Christ which is the Catholic Church spread out throughout the world. Both our dignity and destiny as a local Church are linked with this Universal Church. To be sure, that will at times give rise to tensions, but those tensions are a source for future growth when undertaken with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for me as I embark on the first ad limina visit as your Bishop. I promise to remember all of you at the holy places in Rome.

God love you!

November, 2004

Falta Mucho por Recorrer

Por el obispo John C. Nienstedt

El próximo mes estaré viajando a Roma con los demás obispos de la Región VIII para hacer mi visita ad limina (traducido: "al umbral") las tumbas de San Pablo y Pedro, los primeros grandes apóstoles de la Iglesia. Oraremos y celebraremos la Santa Eucaristía cerca de las tumbas de estos pastores fieles. Al mismo tiempo nos recibirán individualmente y grupalmente por el sucesor de San Pedro, el Papa Juan Pablo II. También visitaremos los varios dicasterios de la Curia del Vaticano para dialogar asuntos pastorales.

En preparación para esta visita yo y los miembros del personal diocesano hemos recopilado un estudio de actividades diocesanas de estos últimos seis años: dos años bajo el liderazgo de quien en vida fue Obispo Lucker, un año de sede vacante," y tres años bajo mi administración. El resumen de 100 páginas del reporte original se esta imprimiendo en otro sitio en esta edición. Los animo para que lo lean. Tal documento nos da la oportunidad de ver las bendiciones abundantes que siempre recibimos de Dios. Al mismo tiempo, señala áreas que se debe mejorar en el futuro. Es un ejercicio extremadamente importante de acauntabilidad eclesiástica.

En su reciente libro, Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way, Nuestro Santo Padre habla de lo que adquirió de estas visitas por parte de los obispos de todo el mundo. Al mismo tiempo, también tiene un impacto directo de consolidar los enlaces espírituales y eclesiastícos communio que yace en el Corazon de la unidad de la Iglesia. Nosotros somos miembros del Cuerpo de Cristo y a su vez la Iglesia Católica se extiende átravez del mundo. Ambos, nuestra dignidad y nuestro destino como una Iglesia local se conectan con la Iglesia universal. Para estar seguro que ocasionalmente habrá tensiones, estas serán fuente para el crecimiento en el futuro cuando se emprendan con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo.

Por favor oren por mi ahora que emprendo la primera visita ad limina como su Obispo. Prometo recordarles en las tierras Santas en Roma.

¡Que Dios los bendiga!

November, 2004