Catholics not Pro-Life?

[Greg_McPherran]

Bishop Malone says that we can’t get firm with Catholic politicians until the laity become pro-life.

He also says that many of our Catholic brothers and sisters are not with us on the pro-life position.

The bishop himself is apparently strongly pro-life but will not deny communion to pro-abortion politicians.

Bishop Malone also said the Vatican supports his positions.

morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/977256.shtml

How can a Catholic bishop call Catholics, who support abortion, our brothers and sisters? Is being pro-life optional for a Catholic? Apparently it is.

I propose a different view. My view is to tell the truth and if people don’t accept it, they simply aren’t Catholic. To do this requires faith in God. This is what Jesus did. The words of Jesus were often very strong regarding the requirements of being his follower. Apparently, it is not that way in the Church today?

Am I missing something?

Greg

 

[milimac]

The bishop is correct in saying that many fellow Catholics are not with us. These are the words we use for the deceased – they are no longer with us – which we can apply here to their lives of faith. Their faith is essentially dead.

I think one reason why it may be difficult for some bishops is that they may see it as being partially their own fault. By previous lax leadership – allowing so-called Catholic universities to teach things against the faith, allowing pro-abortion speakers at commencements for Catholic universities, not having good faith formation programs for already baptized and confirmed adults, etc. – many Catholics have a very primitive, twisted, and dissent-permisive view of what it means to be Catholic.

There is a renewal in the Church today, and it is going to leave the protestant Catholics behind. I think many bishops rightly feel a responsibility toward these wayward sheep. Many, especially politicians who may be more susceptible to lust for power, are filled with so much pride that excommunication will likely drive many away from the Church, never to be seen again, whereas if they are still coming to Church, perhaps there is still a chance they can be converted.

In a sense, the bishops must consider the effect their disciplinary actions will have on the eternal life of these politicians’ souls. Still, that’s my attempt at seeing things from their perspective. I think allowing those who publicly dissent on grave matters to continue to receive the Eucharist does more harm to all of the faithful. It makes no sense to rejoice over finding the one lost sheep if we lose the pasture and the other 99.

 

[Xenon-135]

milimac:

The bishop is correct in saying that many fellow Catholics are not with us. These are the words we use for the deceased – they are no longer with us – which we can apply here to their lives of faith. Their faith is essentially dead.

I think one reason why it may be difficult for some bishops is that they may see it as being partially their own fault. By previous lax leadership – allowing so-called Catholic universities to teach things against the faith, allowing pro-abortion speakers at commencements for Catholic universities, not having good faith formation programs for already baptized and confirmed adults, etc. – many Catholics have a very primitive, twisted, and dissent-permisive view of what it means to be Catholic.

There is a renewal in the Church today, and it is going to leave the protestant Catholics behind. I think many bishops rightly feel a responsibility toward these wayward sheep. Many, especially politicians who may be more susceptible to lust for power, are filled with so much pride that excommunication will likely drive many away from the Church, never to be seen again, whereas if they are still coming to Church, perhaps there is still a chance they can be converted.

In a sense, the bishops must consider the effect their disciplinary actions will have on the eternal life of these politicians’ souls. Still, that’s my attempt at seeing things from their perspective. I think allowing those who publicly dissent on grave matters to continue to receive the Eucharist does more harm to all of the faithful. It makes no sense to rejoice over finding the one lost sheep if we lose the pasture and the other 99.

This sounds so “holier than thou” that I suspect that the author may not be Catholic.

To be “Pro-Life” reaches far beyond being “anti-abortion”. There are many facets to supporting a culture of life. As well, to achieve this goal requires sacrifice, compromise, patients, and love.

Consider the fruits of the Holy Spirit that St. Paul spoke of before you condemn someone as having “dead faith” soley because they disagree with your presuppositions of how they are supposed to act and think. You are just as culpable for these predjudice as any.

Christ specifically spoke of the shepard leaving the 99 sheep for the one who was lost. Your comment is contradictory to the teaching of the Church.

 

[milimac]

Xenon-135:

This sounds so “holier than thou” that I suspect that the author may not be Catholic.

To be “Pro-Life” reaches far beyond being “anti-abortion”. There are many facets to supporting a culture of life. As well, to achieve this goal requires sacrifice, compromise, patients, and love.

Consider the fruits of the Holy Spirit that St. Paul spoke of before you condemn someone as having “dead faith” soley because they disagree with your presuppositions of how they are supposed to act and think. You are just as culpable for these predjudice as any.

Christ specifically spoke of the shepard leaving the 99 sheep for the one who was lost. Your comment is contradictory to the teaching of the Church.

Perhaps I misread your post, but as one of the lost sheep, I didn’t get an overwhelming sense of love, patience, or compromise. Maybe it was just tough-love?

OK, perhaps my post was too judgemental. My bad. However, wouldn’t you agree that a politician who promises to keep abortion legal (contradictory to the teachings of the Catholic Church) is somewhat short of the fullness of the faith? And I certainly don’t mean that the Holy Spirit does not have the power to heal or even resurrect a crippled or dead faith, or that we should give up and not pray for them.

You are correct that being anti-abortion is only one facet to supporting a culture of life. It also means being against all the other facets of the prevaling culture of death: contraception, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, in-vitro fertilization, euthanasia, assisted-suicide, etc. It seems that many of the politicians that support abortion also have the wrong position on many of these issues as well.

Am I wrong in presuming that you are trying to justify your views on one of these issues, contradictory to the teachings of the Catholic Church? Or are you trying to justify a vote for a politician who supports one or more of these issues? Exactly which Church teaching are you seeking to find compromise?

People who publicly oppose Catholic teaching and still receive Communion cause scandal. For them to receive Communion says that they are in union with the the Catholic Church, which is a lie. For it to be allowed can damage the faith of those who are in union or who are making an honest struggle to be in union. It effectively says that being in union with the Church doesn’t really matter.

 

[bear06]

There’s a far cry from public dissenters and private dissenters. Take a look at canon 915 and 916. This is not my judgment call but the Church’s.

Here’s a good article on the subject. catholicmediacoalition.org/canon915.htm

There are several more on this site regarding this issue.