Pastoral Message aired on KNXT-TV during July 2007
Bishop John T. Steinbock
My Dear People of God,
Recently, as reported on the news, the Vatican came out with a document regarding driving behavior, which was ridiculed by some who are, sadly, beset with criticism and hatred of the Catholic Church. I do not think that “Mothers Against Drunk Driving” would ridicule such a document, or the many governmental agencies around the world that deal with traffic safety and the constant accidents resulting in death and injury on their roads. Road safety and the responsible use of a car are serious matters.
A striking statistic is that in the last century over 35 million people died in road accidents throughout the world, even when there were not that many cars in the first half of the century. Every year throughout the world, over 500,000 people die in car accidents, and some 10 to 15 million are injured each year. We usually only hear the statistics of those dying on our highways here in California or America on certain national holidays.
This particular document came from the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. This Council deals with the many problems and pastoral needs with a number of different groups of people throughout the world: migrants, refugees, international students, tourism, people of the sea, circus and carnival people, people on the road, women of the street and street children, and deals with governmental agencies regarding all these groups.
It is interesting to note that many of the Popes have spoken specifically of the responsibility of safe driving, and was emphasized by Pope Pius XII, John XXIII and Paul VI. Even the Vatican Council in its document on “The Church in the Modern World” speaks of the responsibility of people to follow laws regarding speed limits, lest “they imperil their own life and that of others.”
How we use our cars and trucks is a matter of serious moral concern. Road rage, drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs, drag racing, being in a hurry, driving when drowsy or distracted, and showing off while driving, are all matters of grave concern for our society, as these behaviors can endanger not only our own lives but the lives of others. Patience, forgiveness, charity, kindness and prudence are all essential virtues while driving, and, I would add, especially when exiting the church parking lot on Sunday. And I would agree with the Document and strongly encourage that praying the rosary on long drives is a beautiful custom to make the drive more pleasant and rewarding.
God bless you and your families very, very much.