SW News: Bishop James Conley of the diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, has said, “the gospel is like a compass as we travel through these confusing times.”

In his column in the Southern Nebraska Register, Bishop Conley wrote, “to say that we are living in interesting times right now would be a vast understatement.” The COVID-19 pandemic, the current political divisions and growing secularization in the country have “changed our lives dramatically.”

However, he pointed out that throughout history, there have been various plagues and political unrests similar to those we see today. He emphasized that although “we tend to think that this is the first time these things have ever happened,” that’s not true.

Bishop Conley said that God in His providential plan has placed us on earth for these times. “We were made for these times,” he asserted.

The bishop noted that there is a sense of distrust among people today. “People don’t trust the media, politicians, and many of our institutions,” he wrote. He added that there is an increased worry that the freedom of conscience and the freedom to practice one’s faith is under attack. Many in the healthcare field are “being asked to take part in immoral medical practices.”

Bishop Conley voiced against what Pope Benedict XVI described as “dictatorship of relativism.” “Relativism,” he said, is “the philosophy that holds there is no absolute or objective truth.” He wrote that in today’s culture, “relativism is a kind of dictatorship because it has become the default position, and it demands our total allegiance.”

But as Catholics know, he said, the ultimate truth is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Thus, the Gospel is like a compass as we travel through these confusing times.” Perhaps, during this holy season of Lent, we can make a point to listen to the Spirit with frequency and attention, more than we listen to the cacophony of voices in the ambient culture,” he suggested.

He stated that if we desire “calm, tranquility, and serenity in our lives,” then we don’t look to the world, rather, “turn to the truth of the Gospel.” “There is no reason to be afraid because we were made for these times,” wrote the bishop concluding his message.

Bishop James Conley has been the bishop of Lincoln since 2012. He is also the episcopal advisor to the Catholic Medical Association (CMA).