June 4, 2023

Pro-life advocate, Princeton professor launches Fidelity Month

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

SPRINGFIELD – As the Catholic Church devotes each June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, there is also an effort underway to establish June as Fidelity Month. Robert George, longtime pro-life advocate and McCormick professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institution, has invited people of all faiths to unite behind Fidelity Month. George, a Catholic, said it’s a movement intended to call Americans back to the founding principles in order the heal the nation.

“Fidelity month is dedicated to rededicating ourselves to the fundamental values that have historically been for us as Americans in this pluralistic society, our main sources of unity and strength,” George said in a kick-off webinar June 1.

“Our vision is a positive vision. It’s rooted in our sense of the goodness of fidelity to God; fidelity to marriage and the family; fidelity to our country and our community,” said George.

In addition to the Diocese of Springfield, a few dioceses across the country are also spreading the word, including the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

“The associate general secretary of the USCCB, Father Paul Hartmann, has also joined our Fidelity Month group,” said Deacon Michael Forrest  of Christ the King Parish in Ludlow, who is helping to coordinate the national campaign.

“We have a series of articles in various publications that will be coming out shortly, including the National Catholic Register. Some members of the movement are already starting to contact their towns/counties/states about the proclaiming June as Fidelity Month, and another individual has designed some very nice t-shirts to help spread the message,” he said.

Deacon Forrest said he and George became friends through various pro-life efforts.

“As a deacon, I hear from so many who are worried about the moral direction of the country and about the fractures that are becoming increasingly bitter and deep. The idea of initiating a positive movement to restore our common commitment to the importance of fidelity to God, spouse and family, and country and community — irrespective of one’s religion or political affiliations — struck me as just the medicine we need right now.  It’s not enough to simply criticize and bemoan what is wrong. As Dr. George put it, ‘We are not in the business of cursing the dark.  Rather, we are committed to lighting a candle — indeed, thousands of candles,’” said Deacon Forrest.

Deacon Forrest said while the movement is ecumenical, it does coincide with the Catholic devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during the month of June.

“From a Catholic perspective, of course, June is a wonderful time to celebrate Fidelity Month because it beautifully complements our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during the same month.  Fidelity is at the very heart of who Jesus is and His boundless, unfailing love for us.  As the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, ‘If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself,’” he said.

For more information, go to fidelitymonth.com