Has the Church abandoned Police officers and families?

[commenter]

Historically the Church has been a strong support for police officers and their families, both Catholic and often non Catholics. In many cities there’s an annual Mass with the bishop, and a chaplain presence at many times of stress through the year.

In the past few weeks the Police on the whole have been trashed as never before, through the media, through protests that are often heartily endorsed by politicians.

In some cities police have been killed, in my city several have been hospitalized. If this happened to anyone else it would be called Hate Crime.

My local diocese has been repeating whatever the secular media has been saying about the righteous cause of the protests, but silent about attacks on Police.

Is any bishop or any priest, affirming the value, humanity of individual police? Why is the Church distancing itself from police and their families?

 

[Servant31]

I couldn’t comment on hat you’ve seen as I’m not there. I haven’t seen that myself. One thing be noticed is an increase polarization. Which I think is unfortunate. I do thin’ there are some pretty terrible actors out there that are more enabled due to the internet. However as people of faith I think we need to maintain a balanced perspective. I don’t think it’s right to simply take sides and charge in.

There have historically been some injustices by police. I think we need to address that and point to what it is… sin. However there are many many great police officers who hold the line daily. And we expect a lot from them, under a lot of pressure. Often social issues are neglected and the police are the ones left to clean up the aftermath. That’s not fair either. I think we have to take it in context, try to be just to both the victims, and to the police. Victims are people with families, lives,…so are police officers.

We are all a human family and we should do our best to be just. I think sometimes we can be afraid of paying a social consequence for speaking the truth… but it’s the truth that sets us free…

 

[Welshrabbit]

I’m sorry this is happening in your Diocese. Our Clergy still ask us to pray for police, firefighters, and the military during the general intercessions and haven’t been at all political during homilies (which I appreciate).

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Our Archdiocese and local parishes are speaking up about the injustices of racial prejudice and some of the other issues highlighted in recent events. Some have asked for continued prayers for law enforcement and first responders, but those who are not aren’t necessarily distancing themselves. They’re simply calling out one issue at a time.