Father Robert Barron, founder of Word on Fire and an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (CNS photo/J.D. Long-Garcia, The Tidings)
Bishop Robert Barron, the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, will be the speaker at the diocesan Red Mass, 9 a.m., Jan. 17 at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu.
His topic is “The Noble Project: Law, Politics, and the Gospel.”
Bishop Larry Silva will preside at the annual public liturgy that is the church’s prayer to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance for the islands’ public servants. Invitations are sent to members of the state’s executive, legislative and judicial branches, city and county officials, faith leaders, and others.
Described as “one of the church’s best messengers,” Bishop Barron is also the host of “Catholicism,” the award-winning documentary about the Catholic faith, which aired on PBS.
He is a bestselling author and religion correspondent for NBC. He has also appeared on FOX News, CNN, and EWTN.
His website, WordOnFire.org, reaches millions and he is one of the most-followed Catholics on social media.
He has been the keynote speaker at events around the world, including the 2016 World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, and the 2015 World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia for which Pope Francis made his historic visit to the United States.
According to Bishop Barron, his talk will address “the natural law,” which, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, “is a reflection of the eternal law of God and is, in turn, the ground for all of our positive laws.”
“When the relationship between God’s law, the moral law, and political law is lost, our society suffers,” the bishop said. “Human law at its best participates in the lawfulness of God and is in service of love and justice.”
A tradition in Hawaii since 1955, the Red Mass is customarily celebrated in January, to mark the opening of the state legislature. The Red Mass was introduced in the United States early last century from Europe where it has been celebrated for 700 years. It is an annual event in Washington, D.C., and other major mainland cities. The Mass is named for the color of the vestments used for a Mass of the Holy Spirit.
This year, a special collection will be taken for the Catholic Charities USA Disaster Relief Fund.
