The Christian Journey

"The Christian -- the wayfaring man, to use that beautiful expression of mediaeval Christianity -- is conscious of the fact that life is a journey, a travelling towards a goal, where at the end of all problems lies the total solution - not our work, but God's. We are powerless in the face of our unquenchable thirsting for our destiny and our goal, and only the power of God can make us whole. But the search for ever greater completeness, the search for the best, -- as far as is possible -- characterizes a Christian's greatness at every moment; and this, at every moment, is the characteristic of the Church's invitation to us, and with it is the measure of our being Christian. It is a boundless commitment, without end."

-Monsignor Luigi Giussani (1922 - 2005)

Giussani is the founder of the international lay Catholic movement Communion and Liberation.

Chronicle of the Damned, part 3

The Chronicle continues not with a particular person, but a group whose name provokes laughter. Imagine an organization called "Catholics against the Trinity" or "Catholics Opposed to the Resurrection." To some, myself included, it would be high comedy. Well, that's just what we have with "Catholics for a Free Choice."

Let's begin with their mission:

"CFFC shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to women's well being and respect, and affirm the moral capacity of women and men to make sound decisions about their lives." Funny, I don't see anything there about Catholic teaching. I guess we'll have to keep reading.

"Through discourse, education and advocacy, CFFC works in the US and internationally to infuse these values into public policy, community life and Catholic social thinking and teaching." Oh, there it is. I was wondering when the word 'Catholic' would come up. Though I'm sure it's but an oversight, they reference no Scripture, no Church Fathers, no theologians, nothing exaplaining how theirs is a truly Catholic identity. We'll have to keep searching.

Browsing through the website, I'm not sure where to go. Could it be here:
No, I don't think so. Perhaps we'll look in the bio of the organization's fearless leader, Frances Kissling [sic]. "From her work with reproductive health and abortion clinics in the 1970s to her leadership in the feminist religious and international reproductive health movements, Ms. Kissling has been at the forefront of efforts to improve women’s lives."

Ah, this is good stuff. Frances has been helping women improve their lives through the murder of their children and sterilization. But I'm still looking for something Catholic. Tilting at windmills, perhaps, but my quest continues.

"Called the 'philosopher of the prochoice movement', and 'an exceedingly intelligent and articulate Catholic who has been unfairly demonized by some who disagree with her views', Ms. Kissling has also been the focus of news reports, demonstrating (and being arrested) at the Vatican embassy in Washington, DC, and providing a dissident's commentary during bishops' conferences and papal visits." Truly, these activities form the backbone of a faithful Catholic life. She's a model worth emulating.

This is how Catholics for a Free Choice justifies dissent:

"Over a billion people world wide identify as Catholics. While united through sacramental bonds especially through baptism and the eucharist, these Catholics interpret various teachings of the church in different ways. In this they are no different than early Christians, such as Peter and Paul, who fought vigorously about many matters of faith and morals. Good and faithful Catholics disagree on almost every issue that confronts us in the modern world, from the death penalty and nuclear war to how to end poverty and certainly on questions of personal morality...In recent years, conflicting views of what it means to be Catholic have been dominant in not only the media but among Catholics themselves."

An organization beaming with Catholicism, most definitely. Their website's even equipped with a handy-dandy library of dissenting tracts on Canon Law and sundry other issues.

Catholics for a Free Choice and all who claim allegiance will be scattered througout Circles Eight (Fraud) and Nine (Treachery). They faslely represent Catholic teaching on matters of life and human sexuality, and they betray the very Church to which they boast of belonging. Many souls have been led astray by CCFC's words and deeds.

Chronicle of the Damned, part 2

“I’m neither the devil one side would make me out to be, nor the angel the other side would make me out to be,” Robinson noted in an interview with the BBC.

At least Gene Robinson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, does not suffer from delusions of immortality. He is, by his own account, a mortal.

But this mortal needs a large dose of Biblical instruction. A malady that bodes ill for one in a position of moral and spiritual leadership.

Robinson is splintering the already fractured Episcopal church by insisting on the legitimacy of sexual deviation and perversion as all part of God’s magnificent creation.

Robinson, a father of two grown children, divorced his wife and has lived as a practicing homosexual with his partner for over fifteen years.

He derives comfort from his belief that the Bible not be taken literally. As such, he does not counsel heterosexual (before marriage) or homosexual couples to pursue celibacy. He favours “responsibility in relationships.” Perhaps this seems at odds with Scripture to some, but to Robinson, who has suggested Jesus was gay, views Exodus as “the greatest coming-out story in the history of the world,” and believes “we’re all going to heaven,” these positions are all part of a grand reconciliation of faith and sexuality that allow him to feel “God’s light and God’s love ooze over me like warm butter.”

This strident defender of abortion is the cofounder of Concord Outright, an organization to “create safe, positive, and affirming environments for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and questioning people ages 22 and under.” He credits young people (the great repositories of the wisdom of the ages) with helping him come out. “More than anybody else, young people will not put up with B.S. for long. Maybe it was learning that from them that helped me to come out.” If the Scriptures are “B.S.” perhaps Robinson might consider another profession that does not by its very nature rely on that pesky relic known as the Bible, and affirm its truth and validity.

To lgbtq peoples he says, “We want you to lead us.” This is interesting. The great solemn duty of leaders, including the higher standards to which the Bible notes they must be held, is lost on Robinson. But if he is unwilling to bind himself to clear Scriptural principles, why should it be an impediment to anyone who desires a pulpit to excuse and promote their sin?

Robinson seems to be moving smoothly downward. Circle Seven (Violence against Nature) has led to Circle Eight (Hypocrite, Evil Counselor and Deceiver,Sower of Discord, Scandal, and Schism, and a Falsifier). Some might even suggest the awful descent in the last circle, reserved for betrayers, arguing that Robinson betrays his vows, the Church, tradition, and even God.