| November 17, 2008 | Volume 84, Number 2 | |
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Catholics’ view on abortion shock readerThe letter references two articles in the October 20, 2008 edition: 1) “Survey shows Catholic views on moral issues,” page 1, and 2) “Voting with a Well-Formed Conscience,” page 3. I was shocked by the results that 47 percent of Catholics are so-called “pro-choice.” What are these people thinking? Doesn’t the Church teach that life begins at conception? My understanding of abortion is to kill the life that exists within the womb. How is this not murder? How is this not against the 5th Commandment? I’ll quote a Church leader, Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, “There is nothing at all complicated about the utter wrongness of abortion, and making it all seem complicated mitigates that wrongness not at all. On the contrary, it intensifies it.” I cannot remember when I have heard words like Cardinal Egan’s from the pulpit. Perhaps if the Catholic clergy would clearly and frequently define abortion for what it is from the pulpit, we would not have so many confused Catholics. After reading this article (on voting), I may see a reason why 47 percent of Catholics are “pro-choice,” a term that seems to come directly from Satan’s own mouth because it is so deceitful. The article correctly declares life the “foundation upon which all other human rights are based and without which no other right could possibly exist.” But then in several subsequent paragraphs, the authors obfuscate the issue with phrases like “the difficulty of choices,” “inattentiveness to other moral issues,” or “examining just how serious abortion is.” Where is the declaration that Abortion is without question, and in full accord with Catholic Doctrine, the single most serious moral issue to consider in this election, and none other can compare. Not racism, war, social injustice, economic policy, employment, etc. Finally, the Church is not doing itself any favors by conversing about abortion or other moral issues in language that enables justification to make a wrong decision. Unless one is a Saint, it is very easy to rationalize faulty beliefs and practices based on general guidance and ambiguous moral equivalence.
Questionnaire omitted important questionsWhile I was interested to see an entire page devoted to the “Responses to U.S. Senate Race Survey,” the details reported by the Virginia Catholic Conference left me disappointed with how many pressing issues were overlooked. The “Human Life” category failed to include a question about the death penalty, even though the VCC opposes the death penalty. Issues of human rights and torture were likewise ignored. In the midst of two wars, no question was presented about war or peace. In the face of an economic meltdown and mounting inequality, there was not a word about a moral response to the financial/mortgage/credit crisis, much less any mention of economic justice. With the planet warming and environmental catastrophe more foreseeable, not a word about our responsibilities as stewards of the environment for future generations. I fully appreciate that a candidate questionnaire cannot possibly address every single issue, but for it to be a useful tool for the reader/voter, its questions should more truly reflect the critical issues of the day. Paul Fiscella This article did not appear in the web edition of the Catholic Virginian.
FOCA is decried as favoring abortionWe Catholics claim to be Christian, using the Bible teachings and those of the Church as foundation for developing our consciences. There are MANY issues to consider this election. Still I’m baffled why so many members of my own parish and family so strongly support a candidate that so radically favors abortion. To the extent that he said the Freedom Of Choice Act will be his first priority. Did you read that? Before health care, ending the war or anything else he will sign FOCA. There are many issues the Church urges us to prayerfully consider but consistently the Church holds the right to life in highest regard. A letter in the Nov. 3 CV points out that the President and Congress did not play any role in legalizing abortion. They didn’t start it “and they have no power to repeal it.” True, the President and Congress do not vote for it, BUT they do decide who gets on the bench. While pointing out how Governor Casey lost his recent appeals is fair, the letter goes on to say, “we should probably thank God for that because if it were repealed, there would be 50 different and unmanageable state laws enacted.” Really? We should “thank God” that someone standing up for life was defeated? I hear the word tolerance tossed around. Tolerance is a good thing. Surely many will disagree with my views. Thanks for tolerating me. None of us has all the answers but I don’t believe we can pick and choose portions of the Bible or Church teachings when it is politically convenient. Either our Faith is something that guides us in all aspects of our life or it is something we do on Sundays to make us feel better about the state of our faith. Kevin Lewis
Intercessory prayer article raises questionsMs. Hart’s column in the 3 November issue about intercessory prayer is, to say the least, a rather short-sighted explanation of that genre of communicating with our Lord. If I had been her Buddhist friend, I would have been baffled by such exertion for solidarity alone. Indeed, all prayer brings us closer to God and brings us into communion with the Body of Christ. But, by denying that prayers for ourselves and others can gain God’s favor denies the possibility of God intervening on our behalf. To do so is to deny the miracles of Christ and the saints, the intervention of angels, and the everyday answers to our prayers. God does not change His mind. He knows all, past, present, and future, and thus already knows His answers to our petitions before we ask, knowing that we will ask. Christ told us, “Knock and the door will be opened to you. Ask and you shall receive.” Intercessory prayer is an opportunity for us to ask for the good of ourselves and others. If we do not ask, what can we expect? The centurion who went to Jesus to ask that his daughter be healed would not have bothered if all he could expect was to have a feeling of mutual solidarity with his daughter and Jesus. No, he went to Jesus in faith, hoping that Our Lord would intercede and heal his daughter. Examples of intercessory prayer that receive God’s favor abound in the Old and New Testaments, Church history, and probably in each reader’s life. I thank God that my parents prayed faithfully every day for me and my siblings because, I believe, they effected miracles. I hope that our children will be given the same hope for God’s mercy as they are educated in the faith. Patrick Minnis (Mary Hood Hart responds: “I never intended to suggest that intercessory prayer isn’t efficacious, but I wanted to emphasize that God loves us and wishes us good ALWAYS and that God’s love and grace are not dependent on how hard and long we pray. “If we pray for God’s will to be done, then intercessory prayer can change us — whether or not we receive the specific intercession we pray for.”)
Lack of kneelers raises questionI enjoyed reading the Parish Profile (Nov. 3, 2008 issue) of some parishes in Southwest Virginia. I was real happy and surprised to see a picture of a congregation kneeling after Communion! This is a very rare picture indeed in the CV. I could be wrong, but it seems to me that many of the churches profiled do not even have kneelers attached to the pews. I do wonder just how many churches in our diocese have been built without these. I have been to several of our newer church buildings that have no provision for kneeling during the Eucharistic part of the Mass. I wonder if this is the common building practice in our diocese now. Liz McDavid Harrisonburg (Editor’s response: All future churches to be built in the diocese will be required to have kneelers. Those which do not have kneelers will not be required to retrofit them, but they should be added if a renovation of the church or worship space is planned. The proper posture for those who attend Mass at churches which do not have kneelers is to to remain standing at the Eucharistic prayer. They are also asked to make a profound bow at the words of consecration when the presider genuflects. The requirement for kneeling found in the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal), in an addendum only for the United States, is an exception to the norm of the universal church in which worshippers remain standing during the Eucharistic prayer.)
Patrick Springs profile brings back memoriesI read with interest in the November 3, 2008 Catholic Virginian the story of Rural Parish’s Cluster, regarding St. Joseph’s, All Saint’s and Risen Lord Churches. As a native of Patrick Springs, and a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s in Martinsville, I can certainly understand the helpfulness of having the beautiful Risen Lord Catholic Church for the families in the Patrick County area.
I remember attending Mass there, plus the programs on the Catholic faith provided by the trailer chapel, St. Mary of the Highways, which were well received in the rural Protestant community. In 1959 the Diocese of Richmond granted the property back to my family due to a shortage of priests, but we never forgot the dedication of the priests and how much we appreciated the ability to worship close to home. My father, Clifford, his brother Charles and our mother, Lorene are deceased, and others have moved away, but my memory remains clear. Thanks so much for providing the ability for others to know that there is a newly built Catholic Church in Patrick Springs, Virginia. Teresa Cunningham Biggs
Diocesan youth support Ike victimsThe following is a letter witten by the youth group ADORE Ministries in Houma, LA, to Michel F. School, Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry, after those who attended the recent Diocesan Youth Day at Busch Gardens gave to a collection for victims of Hurricane Ike. Dear Mike, We greatly appreciate the contribution made to ADORE ministries by the youth of the Diocese of Richmond. The proceeds of their gift will be used to help Houma area residents recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ike. It is a great blessing to us and our community to receive this gift from young people who have given from their hearts to help their brothers and sisters in need. You are truly blessed to have such generous young people in your diocese. Thank you for your prayers on behalf of ADORE Ministries and the Houma area. We will remember the youth of the Diocese of Richmond in our prayers. Maureen Gallagher About Us | Archives | Around | Articles | Columns | Contact Us | Editorial | Hispanic Apostolate | Home | Opportunities | Parish Profile | Shortakes | The Catholic Diocese of RichmondCopyright © 2008 The Catholic Virginian Press. Articles from Catholic News Services, including Fr. Dietzen’s column, may not be reproduced due to copyright considerations.The Catholic Virginian is a biweekly publication serving the people of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond. This website includes some, but not all, of the articles from the print version of The Catholic Virginian.For subscription information Contact Us. |
The Cunningham family in Patrick Springs, probably one of the first Catholic Families and Yankees to boot, donated a small piece of property, building, and crafted a very small chapel complete with benches and kneelers. It was dedicated as St. Patrick’s Chapel when Bishop Peter Ireton was serving as Bishop of Richmond.