In pastoral reflection, Archbishop Thompson calls Catholics to seek Christ-centered peace and unity

By Sean Gallagher

Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson has authored a pastoral reflection inspired by major themes that have thus far marked the ministry of Pope Leo XIV, who was elected bishop of Rome on May 8.

“Peace and Unity: A Pastoral Reflection” was issued on Aug. 28, the memorial on the Church’s liturgical calendar of St. Augustine of Hippo, the patron saint of the Augustinian religious order of which Pope Leo was previously a member and led as its prior general.

(Read the pastoral reflection here | En Espanol)

Archbishop Thompson noted in his reflection how Pope Leo, on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after being elected, “spoke of peace and unity, calling us to embrace both in Jesus Christ” (#2, emphasis in original).

The archbishop acknowledged that people around the world and of all religions seek peace and unity amid conflicts between nations and a broad array of challenges to justice in society.

Finding solutions to problems such as war, abortion, capital punishment, border security, terrorism, harm done to the environment, human trafficking and the many needs of the poor must start with self-examination.

“ … Each of us must look within to discern whether true peace and unity have taken root in one’s own heart, mind and soul,” Archbishop Thompson wrote (#3).

In an interview with The Criterion, Archbishop Thompson said that, after starting with such an examination of conscience, Catholics can find a sure guide to fostering peace and unity in the Church’s social teaching.

“Catholic social teaching touches on all these issues,” he said. “They’re all linked. And it’s my responsibility as a bishop not only to address all those issues, but to address them in the context of the larger understanding of our Catholic social teaching principles.”

Although looking within is a necessary first step, Archbishop Thompson said the movement toward true peace and authentic unity cannot stop there. Catholics seeking peace and unity must go on to be rooted in Christ through prayer.

“What better way for us as Church, People of God, to overcome entrenched differences than through Christ-centered prayer, dialogue, trust, mutual respect and discernment of the Holy Spirit, all rooted in Scripture, Sacrament, Service and Tradition,” he wrote in his pastoral reflection. “If such witness does not come from us as Catholics, where can the world hope to experience authentic peace and unity to overcome wars, prejudice, genocide, and the many forms of injustices that are ravaging humanity?” (#9).

In his interview with The Criterion, Archbishop Thompson explained why he called the new document a pastoral reflection.

“This is just a reflection,” he said. “There are no easy or quick solutions. I’m reflecting on what peace and unity are and how we arrive at it. We all want it and desire it. How do we get to it? And what are some of the pitfalls in that journey?”
 

(To read Archbishop Thompson’s pastoral reflection in English and Spanish, go to archindy.org/pastoral2025. A link to a study guide to the reflection can be found on that web page.) †