# Silence in the Face of Evil Is Evil Itself
*2019-03-10*

> Bill Young reflects on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s warning that silence before evil is itself evil, and applies it to modern cultural issues and the pro‑life cause.

## Bonhoeffer’s Cry Against Silence

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. The episode’s title comes from a quote by the German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed by the Nazis in April 1945: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guilt‑free. Not to speak is to speak; not to act is to act.” Bonhoeffer’s martyrdom reminds us that those who speak out against injustice may pay the ultimate price, and that God does not excuse our silence.

## Modern Examples of Offensive Media

Recently I saw a sketch on Saturday Night Live that used a distorted image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in a rap‑dance routine. I turned it off immediately because it seemed disrespectful. I also watched a film on Netflix (the title escapes me) about a grieving widower. In one scene the character, in anger, called Jesus Christ a name. While anger can lead people to blaspheme, the scene felt gratuitously hostile toward the Savior and seemed designed to provoke rather than to explore genuine pain.

## Speaking Out in the Digital Age

In today’s world we have tools that make speaking out easy. A single hashtag on Twitter can draw attention to an issue—whether it’s a boycott of a TV show or a call for accountability about a film’s content. If enough people use the hashtag, the conversation trends and the creators are forced to respond. Our voices matter, especially when we are called to defend the faith.

## Why the Pro‑Life Cause Demands Our Voice

For me, the most pressing issue is abortion. One‑third of all unborn children are terminated each year, a tragedy I have heard called “the new Holocaust.” More lives are lost to abortion than in World War II. As Catholics we cannot remain silent. We must pray, we must speak, and we must support public policies that protect the unborn. Politicians who claim to be Catholic while supporting abortion must be called to account; if they refuse repentance, the Church must consider appropriate disciplinary measures.

## Prayer of Divine Mercy

Let us now pray together for Divine Mercy.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus, you poured out your blood and water for the salvation of the world. We trust in your mercy.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; from there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Eternal Father, we offer you the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the remission of our sins and the sins of the whole world. For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen.

## Announcements and Community News

Our next retreat, “Chaplain of Divine Mercy,” has been approved. It will begin on March 29 at 7:30 p.m. at St. David’s Catholic Church, in room 203, following the Stations of the Cross. We will meet five Fridays and one Monday (since Good Friday the church will be closed). For questions, email billyoung12@yahoo.com or call 954‑559‑0104.

I also want to thank Father Gary from St. Gregory’s for celebrating Mass for us at St. David’s on Ash Wednesday. Please pray for more priests to serve our parish.

If you missed the fish‑fry after Mass, you can look for similar events at St. Maximilian, St. Kobe, or St. Pembrook on Fridays after the Stations of the Cross.

*Silence before evil is itself evil; we are called to speak and act, especially for the unborn.*