Bishop Wester celebrates Red Mass for Utah's lawyers and judges

Intermountain Catholic

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Judge Christine Decker (center) and her husband, Rod, join in singing the opening hymn with lawyer Pat Shea. IC photos by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — The Most Reverend John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, celebrated the first Red Mass for Utah’s lawyers, judges, and law enforcement officers Sept. 17 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

Bishop Wester was joined on the altar by Father Joseph M. Mayo, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine and Father Langes Silva, judicial vicar of the diocese. The bishop was assisted at the altar by Deacons Lynn Johnson and Silvio Mayo.

The Mass, specially requested by Criminal Defense Lawyer Ron Yengich, drew some 30 lawyers and judges. Bishop Wester welcomed them all, but had a special welcome for Judges Christine Durham and Michael Murphy of the 10th District Court of Appeals.

"The Red Mass goes back to the tradition of the St. Thomas More Society," said Bishop Wester, "but I am especially happy that we are celebrating this Mass on the Feast of St. Robert Bellarmine, a fine theologian who had a real love for the law.

"I also want to thank Ron Yengich, who was persistent in organizing this and getting us all together."

"The Catholic Church and the law have gone hand-in-hand in many respects for centuries, and the church has a deep respect for the law.

"I’m so glad we could gather on the feast of St. John Bellarmine," the bishop said. "He is a good example of service to the church, and in his writing we know that he believed that no part of the law should be dismissed. He showed a deep appreciation for the law in his stellar writings and in his life."

Jesus said the law is not just something codified in dusty books, he said. "We have to put it into action. Jesus sets out his law and then states that the law must be put into actions of mercy.

"We see you doing this every day as you practice the concept of probation, doing pro-bono work for people who cannot afford a lawyer. We see you mitigating sentences.

"When the law is practiced in a compassionate and humane way there is equity. We are all familiar with the image of Lady Justice with her blindfold and her scales. Her image is a reminder that under the law, we are all treated fairly, and the law is there for everybody, the poor, the sick, the influential and the unknown, the powerful and the weak," the bishop said.

"The law also protects our relationships with God and one another," he said. "We look to you as role models of compassion and equity. Sometimes the world in which we live can be very contentious.

"Church law is seen as freeing us to worship God and pursue our call to holiness; it allows order, provides a way of moving forward and not getting bogged down in difficulties.

"As our role models, whether you are judges, lawyers, or others who adjudicate the law, we follow your example of mercy, equity, and protection."

The bishop thanked everyone present at the Mass, and said a special thanks to the police officers in attendance. "Your response to God’s call to service guarantees the safety of all. We thank you for your presence in our community."