We must be men and women of the truth, for God is the Truth (Jn 14:6) and the Holy Spirit guides us to all truth (Jn 16:13). The Church is "the pillar and bulwark of truth" (1 Tm 3:15), and God's "word is truth" (Jn 17:17). Thus, Jesus' disciples are "consecrated in truth" (Jn 17:19).

Men and women of truth must stand up for the truth and "even to the death fight for truth" (Sir 4:28). However, we must do this in love (see Eph 4:15), for without love, we gain nothing even in living and dying for the truth (see 1 Cor 13:3). Those who fight for the truth without having love are zealots or even terrorists. However, those who think they are loving without being men and women of the truth are self-deceived and destructive to themselves and others. If those insisting on the truth have fostered violence and wars, it must be acknowledged that the devastation done by moral relativists is so much greater.

Only the Holy "Spirit of truth" (Jn 16:13), Who is also the Spirit of love (see Gal 5:22), can give us the wisdom to insist on the truth in a loving way and to insist on love being based on truth. How can we maintain the common good and protect innocent people from being victimized? How can we stop Planned Parenthood and so many other pro-death organizations from killing many more millions of babies? How can we do this in love and without violence, even psychological violence? We need the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit of truth and love. Come, Holy Spirit!

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, October 9, 2003

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 14, 2003