Argument for denying politician communion for voting contrary to Catholic fundamental values and teaching by Rev. James Molgano. Brilliant... Concise... and I believe, universally applicable.
Thank you Fr. Molgano!
The argument is categorically fallacious and hence a non sequitur.
The particular conclusion of this inductive argument is derived from false premises. To say, then, that the Catholic Church has “withheld” its basic connection to worship God from anyone is grossly erroneous.
First, basic tenets of worship are not purely subjective, but are inextricably connected with “spirit and truth” (John 4: 24-25; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1179). Then, and only then, can true worship be offered unto the father in a “full, active and participating” manner.
Second, to say that a politician or anyone who espouses the Christian faith can at the same time support, protect, defend or advance the cause of a man/woman’s “right” to abort human life is always intrinsically evil. Eternal law is absolute, as are the moral norms that derive from it. In these days, when nihilism and positivism have coalesced in a surreptitious cunning of deceitfulness, the “man is the measure of all things” attitude continues to hold sway across this great country that was founded on the very principles that today are being relegated to nothing more than mere nostalgia.
Third, voting the wishes of one’s constituents is not a moral imperative. To not be pusillanimous upon the battlefield where war is being waged for the very soul of our country and her citizenry is!
Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., among others, has chosen to intentionally disregard and then castigate the principle teachings of the church that are universal — hence, the term “Catholic.” Therefore, he alone is culpable for the consequences.
Thank you Fr. Molgano!
The argument is categorically fallacious and hence a non sequitur.
The particular conclusion of this inductive argument is derived from false premises. To say, then, that the Catholic Church has “withheld” its basic connection to worship God from anyone is grossly erroneous.
First, basic tenets of worship are not purely subjective, but are inextricably connected with “spirit and truth” (John 4: 24-25; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1179). Then, and only then, can true worship be offered unto the father in a “full, active and participating” manner.
Second, to say that a politician or anyone who espouses the Christian faith can at the same time support, protect, defend or advance the cause of a man/woman’s “right” to abort human life is always intrinsically evil. Eternal law is absolute, as are the moral norms that derive from it. In these days, when nihilism and positivism have coalesced in a surreptitious cunning of deceitfulness, the “man is the measure of all things” attitude continues to hold sway across this great country that was founded on the very principles that today are being relegated to nothing more than mere nostalgia.
Third, voting the wishes of one’s constituents is not a moral imperative. To not be pusillanimous upon the battlefield where war is being waged for the very soul of our country and her citizenry is!
Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., among others, has chosen to intentionally disregard and then castigate the principle teachings of the church that are universal — hence, the term “Catholic.” Therefore, he alone is culpable for the consequences.
Justin Trudeau seems to think that he can support abortions rights and call himself Catholic.
ReplyDeleteFr. Tim, people hate pro-lifers. The chuch heirarchy is not too fond of pro-lifers or "conservative' cathlics ( a descriptor I dislike because truly there is only orthodoxy or heterodoxy) either. So it is not surprising that politicians, who want people to like them, abjure church teaching. The liberal party has long ago become hostile to pro-life members.
To proclaim your pro-life beliefs is to instantly discredit yourself as a politician in this country.
My husband and I have attended the Life Chain for many years and have brought along our children from very young ages. Many years we have not even one priest in attendance. What are we to make of that? I was happy to see our Bishop attend in May but frankly, I think the pro-life community feels very abandoned by the church.
Caitrin: I fear that the answer to you question and comment is not entirely easy to understand, but I believe that there are two or three motivations that together explain the lack of reaction and support from clergy.
ReplyDelete1. As priest, we are the instruments of God's mercy and forgiveness. We are the people to whom people confess such sins as abortion. We know that, with very few exceptions these people are not "bad" people - that they should not be defined as evil because of what they did. When we hear the anguished voice of a parent who brings to God their guilt over obtaining an abortion for their young daughter; when we watch them being torn apart by their love of their child by their fears for a lost future being in conflict with their faith, we feel immense compassion.
But...
As Bishop Fulton Sheen was known to often state: we as clergy of the Church are called to practice "mercy in truth". If we neglect either side of this important method, then sin prevails.
2. Further to this, there are clergy who are sensitive to the vox populi, which in Canada seems to speak of support for the status quo. They do not want to be seen as "extreme" or "out of the mainstream" as they fear that this will result in the loss of many of the faithful who practice their faith. Think of this as the"water in the wine" school of thought: better to have lots of people hear some teaching than for fewer to hear all of it - a spiritual law of diminishing returns.
Again the error here is that if we continue to accommodate these secular drives (framed as they are as being manifestations of the "right to self-autonomy"), then soon we will find ourselves in a corner where no one will come to church because we stand for nothing.
3. Finally, I can also see the same political wisdom that Ted Kennedy followed throughout his career in the Senate (never bad to learn from one's opponent) of make compromises that bring you incrementally closer to your ultimate goal - kind of a "reverse" inculturation against the forces of secularism.
All of this being said, I understand as well that no matter what our tactics might be in bringing about a more just and moral society, we must be vocal and clear as to our ultimate goals - in this we have no choice - if we wish to be faithful to the voice of the the Successor to Peter and stand for LIFE!
Might I suggest the following: write to your Bishop and ask him to consider mandating participation of the local clergy at next years "Life Chain". If he will state publicly that he himself will attend, as will the majority of the area clergy (something that the "Diocesan Council of Priests" could discuss), this would serve to lift the profile of the Life arguments of the Church - for it would garner some notice in the local and Catholic press.
The pro-life community has been left to fend on its own with only token support from priests and bishops. But you have succeeded in keeping these important issues on the public agenda. Imagine what you could accomplish if you could unite your efforts with the witness of the clergy of the church. In dioceses where this has happened, it has served to stiffen the resolve of the Church and benefited the cause of life.
Google the news stories from various dioceses in North America. Put together a presentation package for the Bishop that he could bring to the Council of Priests. Help to bring the clergy into the fold. You won't get them all... but you will get enough.
Fr. Tim