Speakers emphasize justice and mercy

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Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman was featured speaker at Red Mass.

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Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman grew up in humble surroundings in Mexico, but she said it never affected her father’s perception of things. “My dad used to invite our priest over for lunch. I understood we were poor and I was embarrassed by our small, crowded house, but it didn’t bother my dad,” said Guzman, who added that her parents might have been short on money, but not love.

Her father believed hosting a man of God was something to respect, no matter what the host’s economic situation. And those lessons of pride and honor have remained with Guzman throughout her career as an attorney, district judge and Supreme Court Justice in Texas.

She made the remarks at the annual Red Mass, celebrated at the Corpus Christi Cathedral on Oct. 1 before a congregation of judges, attorneys, state officials and others from throughout the Diocese of Corpus Christi tasked with the important of seeing justice is done.

The Red Mass, which dates to 13th century England, has the name because the celebrants wore red vestments, symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit’s guidance to all who pursue justice.

At the Mass, both Bishop Michael Mulvey and Guzman emphasized the need for judges and attorneys to adhere to the law, but to have compassion for those standing before them in their courtrooms.

Guzman spoke about a passage from the Bible that states “but let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream (Am 5:24).”

“The Bible combines both law and spiritual guidance. Worship without justice is meaningless. We must fight for justice,” Guzman told the congregation.

Judges and attorneys have an obligation to make sure all citizens, especially the indigent, have access to courts, said Guzman, who is also the liaison for the Texas Access to Justice Commission. The Commission is responsible for oversight and funding of the state’s legal assistance programs for the poor.

“You are their voice. Imagine justice as flowing water and you are the catalyst for justice. You are there for children and veterans. This is the justice that will flow like a river,” she said.

During the homily, Bishop Mulvey asked the judges to consider three things: the person in front of them; that he is made in the image of God; and whether their own house in order before passing judgment, and to have hope in the person.

“It’s too easy to equate actions with the person himself. A person is not evil. His actions are evil,” Bishop Mulvey said.

Bishop Mulvey also spoke to the legal community about the renewed call among U.S. bishops for the abolition of the death penalty. “Punishment must have rehabilitation,” he said.

He discussed letters he receives on a regular basis from a prisoner in Texas who said that no one can take his freedom away, whether he is inside or outside prison walls.
“They feel the need for punishment, but also the need for hope,” the bishop said.

A reception and dinner at the Omni Hotel followed the Mass. The reception included a panel discussion with Guzman, Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Brown, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Kevin Yeary and 13th Court of Appeals Justice Gregory Perkes. Corpus Christi attorney Bill Criss moderated the discussion, in which the panel talked about the need for judges to be fair and impartial during their judging and not to allow political influences to play a role.