Legislators who support “procured abortion or euthanasia” are engaged in “manifest grave sin,” Burke said in a “notification” last year.Once again, we see brilliance emanating from the minds of the writers at the "Distorter". Equating Capital punishment, war, etc., with the intrinsic evil of abortion.
What about those who support embryonic stem cell research? How far does one go?
One can also rightly ask: What about politicians who do not actively support other life issues? What about politicians who demagogue the death penalty? What about those who consistently oppose programs that would assist pregnant women and reduce the number of abortions? What about politicians who support war, even preemptive war?
The inconsistencies here discredit the admonishers.
That said, what insight might be found in Burke and Hughes’ positions?
At least some dishonesty can be attributed to Catholic politicians who say they “agree with” or “accept” church teaching on abortion, but then do nothing to help curtail the practice.
Actually the inconsistencies in this editorial discredit the writer as well as National Catholic Reporter. But then again, that's required standard operating procedure at NCR.
Sowing confusion among the faithful, just as the father of lies has always done and continues to do. But wait, we have even more:
Catholic politicians face the stark reality that official church teaching states that abortion is tantamount to taking of an innocent human life.
Let's be clear, here....It is more than tanatmount - it ...IS... the taking of innocent human life!
To embrace this teaching fully is to accept that more than 40 million human beings have been legally eliminated since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land 31 years ago. It is clear that many Catholics do not hold to that extreme view of the issue...EXTREME VIEW???? Any Catholic who does not hold this view has denied a fundamental teaching of the Church, and as such, has separated himself from Christ and His Church. There is NO compromising on this teaching of the CHurch! Those who deny this cannot truthfully claim to be Catholic and in full communion with the Church, and may not partake in the sacramental life of the Church.
So what is a bishop to do?This is exactly what Archbishop Burke and others are doing!
First, preach and teach the principles of Catholic morality.
Second, acknowledge in a democracy, when dealing with legislators, there are not easy answers and that elected officials both lead and reflect the virtues and vices of those they represent.BZZZZT! Wrong answer...The Church gives us the truth. The hard part for many is actually choosing to abide by natural moral law. And who would want to reflect the "vices" of those who are represented? Do we not want to reflect the GOOD and do all we can to minimize or eliminate the EVIL?
Third, refrain from the temptation to move to disciplinary solutions. They are ineffective and are bound to fail, especially when they are widely viewed as inconsistent.Widely viewed as ineffective by whom? Those heretics, apostates, or schismatics* who deny the clear and unambiguous teachings of the Church?
And what else, that discipline has never worked??? And no one ever admonishes a wayward child for doing wrong? And the best approach has always been to encourage and confirm them in their errors and sinfulness?
Sorry, but that answer is also wrong! Since you only answered 1 of 3 correctly, you fail! Go back to school and re-take your catechism classes and then come back and try to take the test again!
* 2089 Incredulity is the neglect of revealed truth or the willful refusal to assent to it. "Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same; apostasy is the total repudiation of the Christian faith; schism is the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him." (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
