And Now What?

So now that the 2014 Midterm Elections are over, which was a big win for the pro-life movement, where do we go from here? Personally speaking, from observations that I’ve made and discussions that I’ve had with parishioners in my Church, we have a long way to go and a short time to get there in regards to educating our fellow Catholics on voting principles, especially when it comes to abortion and same sex marriage.

There are not too many ifs, ands, or buts in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), and even fewer in the Holy Bible, especially when it pertains to abortion and same sex marriage. The days of “Well I know he/she is for abortion, but they are also for helping the poor.” should be gone and tossed out the door. Catholics need to learn how to vote with a Catholic conscience and in accordance with Catholic teaching. In regards to abortion, the CCC says the following: Paragraph 2271 – I. Respect for Human Life 2271    Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law:

Paragraph 2272 – I. Respect for Human Life 2272    Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. “A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae,” “by the very commission of the offense,” and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.

Paragraph 2322 – III. Safeguarding Peace 2322    From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a “criminal” practice gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.

In regards to homosexuality/same sex marriage, the CCC says: 

Paragraph 2357 – II. The Vocation to Chastity 2357    Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity,141 tradition has always declared that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.”142They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

Paragraph 2359 – II. The Vocation to Chastity Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

Paragraph 2358 – II. The Vocation to Chastity 2358    The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

Paragraph 2396 – IV. Offenses Against the Dignity of Marriage 2396    Among the sins gravely contrary to chastity are masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices.

Paragraph 1660 – VI. The Domestic Church 1660    The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament

I have never seen a sign at any Catholic Church that said “No Homosexuals Allowed.” We have always been instructed to “Love our neighbors” and when Jesus commanded us to do so, he did not say “Unless this, that, or the other thing.” God commands us to “love” without reservations. It’s like the old cliché goes, “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” When you catch yourself being over critical about homosexuals, ask yourself, “Am I as critical towards those who commit adultery?” A sin is a sin is a sin. We are called to love each other PERIOD, and help each other out, to distance ourselves from sins and vices that we repeat.

As you can see, there are no ifs, ands, or buts mentioned above, yet how many times do we see Catholics trying to rewrite the CCC and the Holy Bible to suit their needs? The time for “wimpy” Catholicism is over. We are and have been in need of Catholics who are strong in their faith and who adhere to the teachings of Mother Church!  Open up your Bibles and your CCC and read them. They should not be used as bookends for your other books. We all need to be evangelizers of the Word of God, and take it to those who are in most need, and sometimes the ones that need it most are the “lukewarm” Catholics. Talking about doing something to spread the Word of God is great, but putting those words into action, well my friends, that is the New Evangelization. May God give us the strength, courage and wisdom to go out and do his works today. God bless.