A Message from Bishop Deeley on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Today, our country honors and celebrates the legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, our day of commemoration and reflection falls on Dr. King’s actual birthday, January 15, when he would have turned 95. Though his death was more than a half century ago, his message of peace and love remains as relevant as ever.

Rev. Dr. King once wrote, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." Rooted in the Gospel and Jesus’ message of love, Rev. Dr. King believed to his core that we could overcome hatred with hope. Unfortunately, in our world today, divisiveness, anger and hostility seem ever present – and this often leads to the violence that Rev. Dr. King preached so vehemently against.

We as Catholics and believers in Jesus, are obligated to continue the work of Rev. Dr. King by living our lives according to the Gospel and by spreading a message of love and hope, even in the most challenging of times. Injustice exists all around us, but in Jesus’ teachings we have a clear path forward.