If the measure of a man is his service to God, Jerry Freewalt more than measured up.
The diocese’s director of the Office for Social Concerns passed away earlier this month at age 51. He left the world way too soon, but he’ll be remembered for his impact on so many people.
Most anyone would want it said about them after their passing that he was a good guy. That’s exactly what those who knew Freewalt were saying about him in the days after his death.
Freewalt’s funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, June 19, by Bishop Earl Fernandes at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral. Bishop Emeritus James Griffin and Bishop Emeritus Frederick Campbell joined Bishop Fernandes on the altar along with priests from the diocese.
To have three bishops and a nearly-full cathedral attend a funeral Mass showed how much respect the diocese had for Freewalt and his work.
For nearly a quarter century, Freewalt worked for the diocese’s Office for Social Concerns, first as a program associate, then as associate director and finally as a director. He also spent 15 months as the director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, which represents the bishops of the state’s dioceses and eparchies to help them carry out public policy initiatives.
Freewalt loved that work. He was good at it. He was a determined advocate. And everyone he worked with respected him and his passion.
Most of his professional efforts involved the Corporal Works of Mercy. He fought for the needs of the underserved on issues that affected the common good – the poor and disadvantaged, unborn children, mothers, inmates, seniors, farmers, the death penalty, mental health and the environment. He served on various boards and created programs such as Accompanying Returning Citizens with Hope (ARCH) and the Walking Stations of the Cross in downtown Columbus in addition to leading thousands of students and adults in service projects throughout central Ohio.
Outside of the office, he dedicated himself to his most important work – being a husband and father and a faithful follower of Christ. That was evident from the list of family and church activities that he was involved with through the years. His obituary listed his numerous accomplishments and areas of engagement.
Catholic Times readers knew Freewalt from the many Faith in Action columns he wrote over the past two decades in a rotation that included Office for Social Concerns colleagues Mark Huddy and Erin Cordle. He informed the diocese through his writing about the important work he was involved in and often encouraged the faithful to become engaged themselves in initiatives that were important to him.
Since his passing, many people have shared their thoughts about Freewalt. Here are just a few:
Beth Vanderkooi, executive director of Greater Columbus Right to Life: “Every day, Jerry Freewalt brought Jesus to a broken and hurting world. He was a kind, humble, and loving man who lived fully his conviction that every life is sacred and has dignity. He enjoyed politics and saw it as a way to help the marginalized and most vulnerable in our society. Certainly, he was a valued partner in the protection of the unborn and the support of their families, but he will also be remembered for his work on Ohio's law and policy for multi-system youth, rural development, education, criminal justice reform (and ending the death penalty), poverty cessation, and care of creation. Jerry defied partisan labels, because in a world where so many conform their faith to their politics, Jerry worked every day to live his faith and take it to politics. I was honored to be his friend and will miss him."
Bob and Mary Ginn Ryan, founders of SPICE (Special People in Catholic Education) for students with special needs: "Jerry was not only one of the first supporters of SPICE, but he continued his support ever since our beginnings. His support was sincere and he truly understood SPICE's mission. Jerry really ‘got it.’ We always felt that if Jerry supported you, it was a real compliment and that you were doing the right thing."
Brian Hickey, who followed Freewalt as the director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio: “One of Jerry’s best personal and professional qualities that stood out to me was his principledness regarding Catholic social and moral teaching and his non-partisan attitude in proclaiming and advocating for the dignity of life in all stages and circumstances. Jerry could get along and connect with any legislator or collaborator to advocate for the good. His gift in this way led to changed hearts and minds and tangible outcomes, which will live on.”
Mark Butler, who worked with Freewalt on various initiatives, including the OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) program that helps children and families stay together while facing medical challenges and the Multi-System Youth Custody Relinquishment Fund: “Jerry exemplified Catholic Social Teaching more than anyone I’ve known. He deeply valued the dignity of every person and went out of his way to uplift everyone he encountered. Because of Jerry's dedication and willingness to share his own experiences with legislators, children with complex needs in Ohio today have access to services and can stay in their family homes. He wasn't just an effective professional; he was a compassionate advocate. I am honored to have been his friend for 26 years and to have collaborated with him frequently in the pursuit of justice and peace.”
Sister Christine Pratt, who worked with Freewalt for several decades on rural life and social justice initiatives while she served in the Diocese of Toledo: “I was always very proud to know him. We did a lot of work together when we did a statement on agriculture (expressing) our concerns about large-scale agriculture and the impact on environment and people. We did a lot of tours around the state visiting all kinds of farms and processing plants, large-scale chicken operations, hog operations, processing plants, all of that together. We learned and educated one another about what was happening in agriculture. … In our social justice ministries, our call is to take the Gospel and help people. In our rural ministry, I always say Jesus came from a small town. He had an appreciation of the gifts and the challenges of the land. And He used the grapes and the wheat of the earth to give us His life, which connects us with the rural community. We wouldn't have the Eucharist without the rural community. Jerry knew and understood this. He was a fine, fine man. I'm just heartbroken that we've lost them.”
Bishop Fernandes paid tribute in his funeral homily to Freewalt for his service to the diocese: “We must really acknowledge what we feel in the flesh, the sorrow and the passing of a great man like Jerry, who dedicated his life to the church and service to the poor and marginalized. … He will be greatly missed.
Reflecting on the Beatitudes and, in particular, the hunger and thirst for righteousness that is sometimes translated as justice, the bishop said, “Jerry was a clear advocate for justice, giving each person his or her due, including God, and that he dedicated his life to protection of the human person in all stages. … We hope and pray that Jerry, who has died, will be taken to the Father’s house, where the deepest longings of his soul will be satisfied by God Himself.”
