Reigning from 2005-2013, Pope Benedict XVI gave of his many gifts—as a theologian, a scholar, and a man of faith—in service of the Church. His pontificate was not an easy one, confronted by many challenges with many issues needing to be addressed.

Marriage cannot be redefined or expanded to include same-sex unions, "throuples", or any other thing it is not. Marriage is "that intimate union of life in complementarity between a man and a woman which is constituted in the freely contracted and publicly expressed indissoluble bond of matrimony and is open to the transmission of life”. (Preamble, B., Charter of the Rights of the Family)

A person who is concerned solely or primarily with possessing and enjoying – who can no longer subordinate his instincts - cannot be free. Materialism has grown fat in the U.S., nursed by a deep cultural consumerism.

“Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life”. However, “the Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy.” (CCC, 2272)

Our 'common home' is more than just the natural environment - nor is it the environment in the most danger.

This is a wonderful community we bring together tonight. CAPP – US, our beloved Jesuits, members of the Fordham faculty and trustees, alumni and friends. I want to explain why it is so fitting that we come together.