What to Do!

The New York Times, this morning, is reporting a statement from the Vatican that chastises Israel. In the statement Benedict XVI says, and I paraphrase, that Israel could not be included in his statement condemning the recent terrorist acts in other countries, like Britain, because, Israel often transgresses and crosses International laws by retaliating inappropriately to the Palestinians suicide bombers.

I am shocked. The changes already under this man's leadership are quite terrifying. He has, along with JPII, strayed far from the teachings of Vatican Council II. It is no longer correct, apparently, to seek to have open discussion between theologians and the hierarchy regarding differences of opinion. This is devastating to many Catholics who see problems with issues such as artificial contraception being condemned when it stops unwanted pregnancies and disease. Condoms are known to inhibit many sexually transmitted diseases and with the prospect of AIDS being substantially halted in its insidious progress in places like Africa many feel, as I do, that it is a death sentence to deny their rightful place in saving lives. Now this latest volley against Ecumenism, a charge close and dear to John XXIII and Pius XI, will bring a crashing end to the outreach between Faiths that I was taught to value. Additionally, and the issue closest to my heart, the terrible and erroneous statements regarding gays and lesbians as being "intrinsically evil" and "morally disordered" is a sickening blow of hatred towards the many, many good men and women I know who happen to have been born homosexual. it is impossible to have been made in the image and likeness of God and be 'intrinsically evil' to the point of permanent separation from God. This Pope also attacks the notion that the many men of goodwill who do not know of Jesus may be saved. this is directly opposed to the catechism of my school days when all men of good will were presumed baptized by desire, if not by the hands of a priest.

If we are to return to a purely legalistic and orthodox approach to our sacraments, disregarding the spirit, we are surely doomed to repeat many atrocities in God's name. A hard hand and a Latin Mass are not the answer to falling numbers at the altar rail, but rather a remembrance of Jesus' word about it all: "and the greatest of these is Love." It is a clear path and easily known, if not followed. Love. It is within our grasp for the knowledge of our hearts is known to us. If you cannot discern Love in this pope's actions then I suggest his actions are not of God but of man. We seem too ready to invest the Vicar of Christ with the divinity of God and forget his humanity, which is capable of every flaw.

If you think this is easy for me to believe, much less say openly, you are wrong. I was raised to hold the hierarchy of the Church in reverence and respect. Yet, I am also included in the literal definition of the Church: the People of God. I, too have an obligation and a duty to foster that which I have been taught is the Truth for my nearly fifty years. That teaching is being radically revised.

I suggest remembering in ones prayers the lives lost each day everywhere, with no distinction made to whom is right and whom is wrong in the conflict. All acts of terrorism are wrong, even those perpetrated against our enemies. Cardinal Bernardin, a loving follower of John XXII, reminds us that if we purport to care for human life from its conception as being a viable indefensible human being whom we are charged to protect than we surely have the obligation to extend that protection and respect throughout the life of each soul inhabiting this planet in all of its stages. We cannot overlook, then, the agonies of our gay brothers and sisters, nor the suffering of our Jewish and Palestinian brothers and sisters. We are duty bound to hold each soul as the repository of our Lord. As men far greater than I have said, I believe this Truth to be self evident.