Catholic bishops across the globe world are often forced to make
a courageous stand in defense of truth while facing the world’s
opposition. They are doing what bishops have done throughout
history, including the bishop we honor today, St. Athanasius.
Athanasius was a fourth century bishop of Alexandria, Egypt,
which at the time was a major center of Christian activity and
thinking. Because he stridently defended the doctrine that Jesus
is truly God, he faced opposition from emperors, magistrates,
and many intellectuals of his day. Five times he was forced into
exile. As he often seemed to stand alone in his position, his
contemporaries said of him, “Athanasius contra mundi”, or
“Athanasius against the world.” We should give thanks to God
today for the courageous witness of bishops from the past like
Athanasius, and we should give thanks for the courageous witness
of bishops in our own age. In addition to our gratitude, we
should support our bishops though prayer, acceptance of their
teaching, and public advo