Catholic lawyers told to be evangelizers in and out of court

Published: 2003-11-05

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, N.Y. (CNS) -- Catholic lawyers in Brooklyn were told that they need to be evangelizers both in and out of the courtroom. "For Catholic lawyers, this is not the time or place to divorce our faith from our profession," said Msgr. Edward Scharfenberger, the homilist at the annual Red Mass in Kings County, one of two counties that make up the Diocese of Brooklyn. "There is no reason to check our consciences at the front door of the courtroom." The liturgy, with Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio of Brooklyn as the main celebrant, was held Oct. 29 at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brooklyn Heights. The congregation was made up of lawyers and judges who live and practice in Brooklyn. It was sponsored by the Kings County Catholic Lawyers Association. Msgr. Scharfenberger, who is the moderator of the group and an attorney himself, said lawyers have a responsibility to help turn around a culture of death that he said has pervaded contemporary society.

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