Modern law should carry moral authority, cardinal says at Red Mass

Published: 2003-10-06

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Cardinal Avery Dulles told a congregation of lawyers, judges and government officials that although they could not legislate virtue they should have "a sense of the importance of moral convictions and moral training for the health of our society." The cardinal, who was the homilist at the annual Red Mass Oct. 5 at St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington, stressed that "law and spirit belong together" and are "as inseparable as body and soul." He told more than 1,400 people at the Mass, "Law, at least civil law, is a human achievement, but the spirit, if it is to be upright, depends chiefly upon the grace of God who can transform hearts and fill them with his love." The congregation included U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez, District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams and Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. The Red Mass is celebrated annually in Washington the Sunday before the new U.S. Supreme Court session begins.

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