Attacking the Real Problems
FREE Catholic Classes
+J.M.J.+
Writing in the November 30, 2003 issue of "Our Sunday Visitor" (page three), that periodical's Washington correspondent, Russell Shaw, reflects on the November 10-12 bi-annual meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
A former director of communications and a longtime observer of the Conference, Mr. Shaw is cautious whether the Bishops will be able to address adequately the crippling dilemmas relative to a host of issues that hound the Church in the United States.
Two grave issues among several that have been around for decades and show no sign of receding from the horizon any time soon are that of contraception and the reception of Holy Communion by elected officials who profess to be Catholic but who are publicly at odds with the authoritative teaching of the Church.
Contraception. Mr. Shaw refers to "a report from the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, chaired by Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., of Denver, (which) cited surveys showing only 4 percent of Catholic couples of childbearing age practice natural family-planning methods approved by the Church."
This year during the thirty-fifth anniversary of the publication of the July 25, 1968 Encyclical of Pope Paul VI (1963-1978) entitled, "Humanae Vitae," attention has been paid again to the subject of the Church's doctrine that each and every act of marital intercourse must be open to the possible transmission of human life.
Sadly, some shepherds in the Church in the United States have been reluctant to preach the Church's teaching in this area presumably because of a fear of offending their listeners.
Given that, objectively, the use of artificial birth control is a serious sin and in light of the proven fact that some of the so-called "contraceptives" masquerading as such are in effect "abortifacient" (abortion-inducing), the time has come for each Bishop in his own Diocese to proclaim clearly what the Church teaches and how it may be fulfilled in the lives of Catholics.
God willing, the USCCB, in the words of Mr. Shaw, will "prepare a document setting out the Church's teaching and the reasons for it, including the 'abortifacient potential' of some forms of contraceptives. The document is to be voted on next November."
Holy Communion received by openly dissident Catholic elected officials. There have been high-profile cases in which particular Bishops have chastised Catholic politicians for their support of legalized abortion and then counseled them against or positively prohibited them from receiving the Most Holy Eucharist; however, the vast majority of Bishops in the United States have not enacted any "canonical censures" in this regard.
Mr. Shaw declares: "USCCB itself infuriated pro-lifers last year by naming former congressman Leon Panetta, chief of staff in the Clinton White House and a defender of Clinton's pro-abortion policies, to the national board overseeing the bishops' response to sex abuse."
Indeed, famous Catholic office-holders who foster abortion and then continue to partake of the Bread of Life have scornfully thumbed their noses at the binding teaching of the Church, not to mention at Jesus Christ--the Bread of Life Himself--Who has given His Body and Blood as well as this truth of the sanctity of human life to His Beloved Bride the Church.
We who strive to be faithful Catholics, notwithstanding our numerous sins, should remember these two "dark spots" when we pray and offer our penances to Almighty God.
May the Risen Lord Jesus grant to the Bishops of the United States the remarkable holiness and courage that marked the life of Saint John Fisher (1469-1535), Bishop and Martyr.
Contact
Mary's Field
https://www.catholic.org
, VA
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan - Official, 390 66616-1125
fathermangan@catholic.org
Keywords
USCCB
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716
A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain
Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul
A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell
My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz
Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell
Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online
Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online
Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online
State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online
Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online
2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online
Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online
Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online
Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online
Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online
Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online
Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online
Full Circle
Robert Gieb
Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite
Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony
Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell
World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online
Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA
Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online
A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe
Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly
Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard
The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely
Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow
A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow
Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea
Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard
Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol
Edging God Out
Paul Sposite
Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow
George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online
Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell
Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite
Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol
Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol
Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online
Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online
Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online
Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online
Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol