Page 16 - FOP September 2016

HARVEY
of churches throughout Chicago-area neigh- crime must be apprehended, charged, brought
In closing this disturbing discussion, I want to state that announced his decision
danger that others would flee from. Despite this, offi- corner church in the neighborhood, or a short
Flisk and Soderberg, I realize
cers continue to confront and battle the evils of our drive back to school for service in the parish.
that these two good men met
is a man of proper belief, then he will recuse himself and
city. It is heartbreaking for me to say that sometimes it One thing is for certain: Chicago is no stranger can cost an officer his life. However, the battle does to the church influences. There are hundreds
evil. The fight between good
volunteer to suspend himself from service in an attempt
not end there. The perpetrators of such a heinous
to redeem his purpose within the eyes of his community. Joyce said it best when he
borhoods. Englewood – a south side commu- to justice before trial and, if all goes well, sen-
I stroanggaliynsfteBelrytahnattBtrheiwseprriest needs to take a step back. Way baycakc.kHnoewhleadsgiwngeltlhoeverstepped his role, and is now
hard work, dedication
actually undermining all of his prior good work for the
nity for example – has nearly 300 churches, alone. tenced. Then, and only then, is the battle for
theSfoallhenowoffdicoerecsotmhpisleitne.formation fit in as subject matter
foDr uarninagrthicelepafsrtofmewamCohntichas gbotPhoflaimceilyOmffeicmebr ewrsoarnkding for
CtheicaLgoodPgoeli?cTe Ohaffticiesrsahqauvedstoinoenjuthstatht ihs.aIsnbJueleynofb2o01th0,eOrfifni-g me
cer Thor Soderberg was ambushed, attacked and murdered by for days on end. I can, however, begin with this: For some
and sacrifice that
community. What will it matter if the people he serves are
offender Bryant Brewer. Fortunately Brewer did not make good on reason, I could not shake from my mind the images and
Joyce described this dedica-
his escape due to the immediate response of Sergeant Jason Kacyn-
in the community? I will repeat then-Senator Obama’s tion with a quote by writer
- sound bites being blasted out by the media – cover
quote, “Deeply disappointed in this guy’s divisive, and poet Alexander Pope: “For
Leadership:
Does it end at the church steps?
Justice served for the fallen
MThoesrteoisfnuosbowdhyomgorewawuapreionftChheicraimgoeansdcvhioil-
dlernecnehinavoeurfocintydtmhaenma oCrhiiecsagoof cPholuicrechOfifnicfelur.eEnaccehs
day and night, officers expose themselves to harm and in our lives, whether it was a short walk to the
FIELD REPRESENTATIVES REPORT
PrAesiIdtheintkbAancgkeolvoeritnheatnes-attempt to make it right. I only
MARLON
MARLON
HARVEY
and evil is neverending. Judge
“For fools rush in where
thimoponeytahnadteavsidienn2ce00p8re,saenstu-spension will follow this action,
ed in both trials of Officers
as well. If this priest demands accountability here in Chi-
ALEXANDER POPE
cago, then he too must be judged and accountable. If he
Chicago Police Officers
so disconnected and misguided by his actions and words
perform every day. Judge
that they can now longer perform in a productive manner
Angels fear to tread.”
ski and Officer Kimberly Thorp. The fact that both officers were age of a Southside priest. This man has been pastor
backward-looking rhetoric.” fools rush in where Angels fear
receiving gunfire as they engaged Brewer did not stop them. Brewer for almost 35 years. Sadly, however, I must report
was struck and felled by Kacynski’s return fire. Brewer survived his to tread.” So I say, as a lifelong Chicago resident who loves
that at present he has deviated from his calling. wounds and was arrested and charged.
his city and is a 30-year Chicago Police Officer, No Field RepresentMativembers of the Lodge and the brothers and sisters of the Chicago
Here is where I recognized what bothered me so
The outstanding work of detectives, forensic investigators, expert
deeply about the recent media coverage. I am a witness and officer testimony resulted in a good case for trial that
Police DeFpaatrhtmere,nyt ogiuvedaohenaorttfeblt ethloankgyoinu tpooJulidtgicesT.imNothFyaJtohyceer,
of public local politics. He has more than once spoken
against government, and then subsequently apologized To First Responders past and present, I'm request-
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
for his actions. In 2008, he was suspended by the Arch Di- ing that you join me in forming a team of walkers for
to vote; where no church or church school is granted any
ocese after publically attacking then-Presidential Candi- the 2015 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society “Light the
public funds or pLoiglithictatlhperNefiegrhent Wcea; laknd where no man
date BarakNOigbhatm”Waa.lTkhinesnu-pSpeonrattoofrblOoobdacmanacwerapsatqieunotst.ed as
Oct. 24 • 4:30 p.m. • Grant Park
from the President who might appoint him or the peo-
saying he was “deeply disappointed in his divisive, back- This 5K walk is scheduled for Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m. in
Motorola Solutions Foundation is sponsoring a First Responder
ward-looking rhetoric.”
Grant Park. We'll have the support of the Motorola
ple who might elect him. I believe in an America that is
Now this SsoalmuteiopnsriFeosutnisdaqtuioont,ewdhticehllisndgoonuatrinLgo$d1g0e,0P00retso-
KEITH the cause, and is providing a tent with refreshments. ident Dean Angelo, Sr., to, “Go to hell.” Are you kidding
CARTER No donation is required to walk, but if you choose to me? How is that of God? How is that leadership? How will
donate you can either visit the Leukemia and Lym- his behavior influence the community he serves? I can
officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish; where
phoma Society website hear the voice of Father Dan Brandt ringing in my ears
Churches or any other ecclesiastical source; where no re-
http://pages.lightthenight.org/il/ChicagoL15/chifirstresponders, saying, “Officer you are doing God’s work.” How is it that
ligious body seeks to impose its will directly, or indirectly, protecting those who help protect us and reached out to Patrick
or donate in person to me at the FOP Lodge before or on the day of one priest recognizes the good of Chicago Police Officers
upon the general populace or the public acts of its offi- Jessee, a Chicago paramedic who is a survivor of non-Hodgkin's
the event.
and another priest is blind to it?
Lcyimalpsh; oamnda bwlohoedrceanrecleirg. iHoeucsolnitbaecrtetyd tihsesLoodingedsivoitshiabtlwe ethmaitghatn
haacvteaagfaintsatstoicnteucrnhouurtcohf ibsottrheaptoelidceaos fafincearcatnadgfairienfsigthatlelr.”s to
walk and support our own. In my 29 years on the job, I've met many As always, stay safe. d
thousands of police officers and I look forward to walking with you on Oct. 24.
As we all know, anyone at any time can get cancer, and First Just as in 2008, this priest attempted to apologize to
Responders have a 50 percent greater chance than the general pub-
16 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2016
lic to get blood cancer. Motorola Solutions Foundation believes in
REPORT
bsepgiarintuJualyl 2m7and, alanstdedmseovsetnodfauys. OhnavAeug.r4e, parterseidsipnegcJutdfgoerTim- oththey iJnoysctieturettiuorneodfwtihthe acghuilrtcyhv.erAdtitcet nindtihnegmcuhrudrecrhofsOhfofiuceldr Sboedearbleargr.nFiingalley,xopneSreiepnt.c2e3,tJhudagteJnoyriccehsenstoenucreldivBereswaenrdtoelidfe- in prison.
and CoyookuCosuhnotuylSdtanteo’steAtatonrdnewysilBl rniaont SseitxtionndaunrdinPagt cMocnGturaircet for a job well done.
ucates us in matters of faith, humanity, religion and fam-
negotiations. No Father, telling our Lodge president to goLtaosthlye, lbleisptrheepasraemd etoasattelnlidngth1e2t,r0i0al0oCfhthicealgaotePstoloifcfenOdfefri,- Mcearscutos Fgloytdo, mheulrld, einrecrloufdCihnicgaogourPocloicme Omffaicnedr Tshtaofmf,atshWeomrthaaymor
In November 2010 Officer Michael Flisk was also ambushed, ily. The same as attending school does for advancing our
IV in May 2010. Trial is set to begin possibly as early as Oct. 14. Sup- and the community that we serve and have died for. Re-
attacked and brutally murdered by Timothy Herring. Herring was knowledge, so should church for our mind and spirit.
port our police family in finishing the fight for Officer Wortham with member this: Saint Michael, as does the Chicago Police
subsequently apprehended and charged. Trial concluded in May To see and hear a priest become an activist with an
your presence. Check the FOP website for updated information on Department, keeps us all safe by guarding the gates of hell
with a guilty verdict. In June, Judge Margaret Brosnahan, sentenced agenda to champion against Chicago Police Officers
up out there and stay safe.
I was able to complete this article without dropping a
Herring to Life with no parole.
breaks my heart. I should not be writing about a priest in
tear. It hurts writing about a man of God negatively. But it had to be done. I will end with a quote from President John F. Kennedy:
any way, except to praise him, not criticize him. Unfortu- nately, I must say he has earned the criticism.
Here is where I begin. First and foremost, there should be absolute separation of church and state. He should not
Walk with me to battle blood cancer
under any circumstances involve the church in matters
and state is absolute; where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom
date, courtroom and time. As always, continue to back each other to keep evil at bay as you should as well.
“I believe in an America where the separation of church
is denied public office merely because his religion differs
team to participate in the walk. Family members and friends of
Lodge 7 members are also welcome to participate.
no public official either requests or accepts instructions
For information, contact Anna.Baniak@LLS.org or
on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of
312-568-7717 or pjesse@hotmail.com or 618-530-6770.
CHICAGO LODGE 7 I OCTOBER 2015 19
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