Driving advice should be taken seriously

Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert
Diocesan Administrator

Msgr. J. Gaston Hebert

On June 20, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ran “The Vatican’s Ten Commandments for Drivers.” Cardinal Martino of the Vatican had released a document titled, “Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road.”
Since that time, I have noticed no fewer than five or six cartoons on the editorial pages of newspapers concerning that document, most of them from a rather positive perspective. As soon as I read the article, I began to imagine the reactions it might elicit and the reasoning behind those reactions.
“Why doesn’t the Church stick to religious issues and stop trying to tell us how to run our lives?” This might be the reaction of someone who confines religion to “time served” in a church building and envisions the ramifications of moral ethics as interference in “real life.”
It is the same mind set that would have had the Church “stay out of my bedroom” with the publication of “Humanae Vitae,” and would resent statements on racial equality and just immigration laws.
For these people, religion is a theory to be taken out and admired on Sundays and then shelved lest it intrude upon the manner in which they are accustomed to living their lives.
Living one’s faith is a 24/7 reality. Loving God with all our heart, soul and mind does not permit us to relegate Him to the sidelines of life, as we thoughtlessly glide along the pathways of moral relativism. Our relationship with Him should affect the manner in which we relate to one another, drive our cars, manage our money, rear our children, utilize our time and talent, care for our health, etc.
Yes, it really does matter to God how safely we drive our cars and the attitude within our hearts as we drive them. In 2006, more than 43,000 people died in traffic crashes in the United States. If our basic commandment is to love God and one another, does it not make sense that driving which is dangerous to ourselves or others is sinful?
“What the document states is obvious; we don’t need the Church’s direction on this.” I’m fine with this statement if you keep within the speed limit, never break any of the driving laws, give in to road rage, drive when you’ve had something alcoholic to drink or are overly sleepy.
How many drivers do you see who are truly aggressive behind the wheel, weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds, tailgating the car in front of them, generally using their car as “an easy opportunity to dominate others” (and anonymously, at that)?
And, in honesty, wouldn’t it be good to examine our own consciences about our attitudes while driving?
“The Catholic Church is at it again with their hypocritical preaching.” For folks who dislike Catholics, anything the Church would do or say would simply add fuel to the fire of prejudice. After all, we are disliked for trying to save unborn children; why would we not also be disliked for trying to save children of all ages from death due to unsafe driving?
The Church in her wisdom has once again attempted to bring the teachings of Christ to bear upon the ways we really live our lives. While no one likes to be corrected, when a wise and loving person corrects you, it’s a blessing.
A wise person says, “Thank you. I needed that.” These words on safe driving and morality are more important than most will appreciate. Will you or a loved one be one of the 43,000 or more to die on our highways this year? Could you live your faith more fully by allowing Christian ethics to control your driving habits and attitudes?

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