New Orleans Archbishop Alfred Hughes went too far Jan. 6 when he had the New Orleans Police Department arrest parishioners holding vigils in two New Orleans churches. Having people arrested for protecting their local church does not seem to accurately reflect Catholic values.
The Maroon applauds university photographer Harold Baquet and other faithful church parishioners for their actions. Fighting for non-destructive beliefs with non-violent actions even in the face of overwhelming adversity is something to be admired. Baquet upheld Loyola’s values of social justice in his continuing fight to help his church remain open. Baquet was not part of the vigils that day, but helped barricade the century-old doors of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church so that police could not get in. He was merely protecting his church when the police broke through those doors to arrest those inside.
New Orleans is a city with a strong religious history and ties. Its citizens regard their houses of worship as spiritual cornerstones, a reminder that their faith will always provide shelter. The hope that many of the citizens found is fading now that their churches are closing. Through their actions, Baquet and his fellow parishioners held fast to their belief that the Archdiocese is moving away from the concept of a Christian community by trying to create what Baquet called “mega-parishes,” something comparable to the continued disappearances of small independent businesses in favor of huge corporations. Catholic parishes tend to center around the communities that surround them. After mass, often parishioners will gather together and talk to their priests about various topics, from family life to foreign affairs. Closing these historic churches represents cutting this tradition in the neighborhoods of these churches. When the family bond between parishioners and their churches is cut, it is difficult for them to move on to other churches and create new communities.
The Archdiocese of New Orleans promised to be a beacon of hope to the New Orleans community during and since Hurricane Katrina, and taking away a faith-filled and historic aspect of New Orleans is simply wrong. Closing these churches means removing memories and faith from the heart of the city as well as from the heart of the citizens. That’s what police did last week when they led away Baquet in handcuffs as if he had committed a crime. Although police intervened with the parishioners’ fight to keep churches open, there are some who are still up for the fight. After the police took him away in handcuffs and dropped him off at his house, Baquet returned to his church to stand up for his ideals.
Perhaps now is an appropriate time to cite the words and actions of perhaps the most celebrated figure of civil disobedience in the last century — a man who we commemorate this coming Monday. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood up for his beliefs even in the face of a country that was not ready to accept civil rights. The line between Dr. King’s fight half a century ago and New Orleans parishioners’ fight now is not so wide — not to mention proof that civil disobedience can be committed peacefully and successfully.
