Archive for the ‘Ethics and Morality’ Category

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The Manhattan Declaration

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

As you may have already read, a large contingent of Catholic bishops (including Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York), evangelical leaders, Orthodox bishops and other religious leaders have signed and promulgated The Manhattan Declaration. It speaks to the sanctity of human life, the sanctity of marriage as a union of one man and one woman, and the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

The unfortunate effects of poorly formed consciences have led to an upswing of attacks on human life and a truly free human society, a freedom that can come only with a recognition of the common good and by orienting all we do toward that which is knowably good and in accord with objective truths.

So much of our world today bristles at the Church because it dares to proclaim that there are objective truths that are knowable and binding on all of humankind, not just Catholics. Truths that are not the creation of caprice or whim or personal construction, but known by us through full use of our reason and amplified by Divine Revelation.

You can read the Declaration at: http://manhattandeclaration.org

Thanks to parishioner Michelle for renewing my attention to this declaration.

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Fundamental Theology, Politics | No Comments »

It is Mercy I Seek….

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

I would ask that all of us remember in our prayers John Allen Muhammed, who was executed last night in Virginia. 

I do not support the death penalty nor do I support abortion or euthanasia. God alone is the author of life and permits in his own time the death of any of us.

Violence doesn’t solve much, if anything. Taking the life of a convicted killer is unneeded when other effective means of rendering punishment and justice exist.

Let us pray also for the victims of violent crime in our society, especially for the victims of Mr. Muhammed.

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Our Faith is not about Sin; Its about Mercy.

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

The Catholic New Service is running a story about Margaret Mary McCullough of Lubbock, Texas who recently forgave the killer of her husband.

She has been a vibrant witness of the primacy of mercy and forgiveness in our faith.  Violence ultimately fails in its efforts to address injustice. Hatred only kills, never heals.

Read about Margaret Mary McCullough at this link:

www.catholicnews.com

Click on the story regarding Lubbock bishop.

Posted in Church News, Ethics and Morality | No Comments »

Laudable Quotes from Caritas in Veritate

Friday, July 10th, 2009

Some more wonderful quotes from the Pope’s Encyclical:

“Man is not a lost atom in a random universe: he is God’s creature, whom God chose to endow with an immortal soul and whom he has always loved.” (29)

“Knowledge is never purely the work of the intellect…. if it aspires to wisdom capable of directing man in the light of his first beginnings and his final ends, it must be ’seasoned’ with the ’salt’ of charity.” (30)

“Deeds without knowledge are blind, and knowledge without love is sterile.” (30)

“Intelligence and love are not in separate compartments: love is rich in intelligence and intelligence is full of love.” (30)

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Quote from Caritas in Veritate

Friday, July 10th, 2009

“Openness to life is at the center of true development. When a society moves towards the denial or suppression of life, it ends up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man’s true good. If personal and social sensitivity towards the acceptance of a new life is lost, then other forms of acceptance that are valuable for society also wither away.” — Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 28

Here Benedict again makes the point of the intrinsic connection between life ethics and social ethics.  He, in effect, is saying there is a real connection between Humanae Vitae and Populorum Progressio.  He is calling for a “new humanistic synthesis” (Caritas in Veritatis, 21) in our understanding and implementation of political, social, and economic development based on the foundation of respect for and openess to human life.

As he quotes from Gaudium et Spes from Vatican II: “..the primary capital to be safeguarded and valued is man, the human person in his or her integrity: ‘Man is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social life’ [Gudium et Spes, 63]” (Caritas in Veritate, 25)

An amazing insight into the thinking of Pope Paul VI and his two encyclicals.  It puts Humanae Vitae into a whole new light when it is read in the light of human development.

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Quote for the Day

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

“Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality. Love becomes an empty shell, to be filled in an arbitrary way. In a culture without truth, this is the fatal risk facing love. It falls prey to contingent subjective emotions and opinions, the word ‘love’ is abused and distorted, to the point where it comes to mean the opposite….

“Charity is love received and given. It is grace (charis).” —Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 3, 5

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David’s Sin and Ours

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

The Old Testament reading from Samuel this morning in the Office of Readings is a continuation of the story of David’s sin — his arrangement for the murder of Urriah the Hittite so he could cover his sin of adultery and obtain what he wanted, i.e., Bathsheba (Urriah’s wife).  Nathan tells him the parable of the poor man whose only lamb was taken from him by a rich man, and how David was that kind of sinner that he himself proclaimed deserved death.

I suspect none of us are guilty of murder, but I suspect most of us are guilty of wanting and taking unjustly the goods of this world that we really don’t need, but simply want, and in doing so we deprive a poor man or woman of the only possession they may have to their name.  We do this a lot blindly, given the social structure of economic sin that exists today. Have we done this with open awareness too?  I passed a few beggars on the street yesterday in Chicago and gave them nothing. Easy to rationalize my reasons, not so easy to look them in the eye and offer them what in some sense may have been rightfully theirs.

The social teachings of the Church need our careful study and attention. Then we need to take it all to prayer. Finally, we need to take action.  That seems to be the hard part.

There are a lot of Urriah’s out there. There are a lot of Nathan the prophets too. Let us listen to both. And act justly.

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In Defense of Marriage

Monday, June 29th, 2009

The whole institution of marriage is threatened nowadays. The rates of cohabitation, homosexual couples seeking to marry in more and more states, the trivialization of marriage by so many others — all these threaten marriage.

As my one of my moral theology professors is apt to say, “A clouded intellect leads to a weakened will, which unleashes disordered passions.” 

Let’s keep our thinking clear about what we know from human nature and from our faith.  I do not have the time to go into the natural law and marriage. I’ll post on that later.  

I would like to review some basic teachings our our faith about marriage.

What is God’s plan for marriage?  Both men and women share in the divine image, and share in God’s power with equal dignity, though in complementary ways. The union of a man and a woman in marriage is an imitation in the flesh of God’s generousity and fecundity. (CCC, no. 2335)

What is the marital covenant? It is a covenant freely entered into by a man and a woman that imposes on them the obligation to keep their marriage indissoluble. (CCC, no. 2397)

What is the bond in marriage? The bond in marriage is both conjugal and procreative. Conjugal mutual love and fidelity is the unitive aspect of marriage. The procreative aspect concerns conception, birth, and education of children. In other words, the marital bond is for the good of the spouses and the transmission of life. (CCC, no. 2363)

How can spouses nurture their marital covenant and not tarnish the dignity of each other?  One way is the development of the virtue of chastity. It enables one to offer, as gift, one’s entire self to another. In order to truly give yourself to your husband or wife, you must develop self-mastery. A chaste spouse in one who becomes a witness to fidelity and loving kindness. (CCC, no. 2397) Marital chastity is the right ordering of the gift of sexual relations, i.e., desiring union with your spouse so as to offer the gift of your entire person, body and spirit.

Hopefully, all of us married folk are working on all of this.  It is a work in progress, I am sure.

I’ll post more at a later time…..

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Sacraments | 1 Comment »

More on Non-Violence

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

I couldn’t help but notice the Patristic reading in the Office of Readings for today.  It seems to mesh well with yesterday’s post on non-violence.  St. Dorotheus had this to say (my translation of the Italian):

“He who takes blame on himself, serenely accepts everything when he runs into  whatever injury, slander, offense, adversity or other affliction; through it all he remains deserving and nothing in any way can disturb him.  Who is there who is more tranquil than such a man? 

“Perhaps someone will object: ‘If a brother attacks me and examining myself I find I have not given him any reason to do so, why should I accuse myself?’  Certainly, if with fear of God, I diligently examine myself, I will never find myself to be completely innocent and I will find either by actions or words or attitude that I have given him reason. Even if in the present situation I do not find myself responsible, certainly at another moment I will treat my brother harshly or in some new or old matter I will have brought harm to him or some other brother. Because of this, I rightly suffer because in other innumerable ways I have sinned.” — St. Dorotheus, Doctr. 13, De accusatione sui ipsius, 2-3; PG 88, 1699

Perhaps a medieval manner of speaking, but he touches on a subject many of us would rather not consider:  When someone attacks us, especially when we are at peace, perhaps our response should ultimately be self-examination, and a sincere search for how we may have contributed to a broader context that gives rise to violence, rather than using violence to counter violence.

Posted in Ethics and Morality, General Interest, Saints and Prophets, Spirituality | No Comments »

Pro-Life, Death, and Violence

Monday, June 1st, 2009

How unhappy I am today, learning as I came to work this morning that someone murdered Dr. George Tiller down in Kansas.  As you probably know, Dr. Tiller was a late-term abortionist. He was killed by someone in the lobby of the church he attended.

You cannot be pro-life and advocate violence.  No way, no how.

This is even more disturbing to me this morning because I had a very stimulating conversation late last night with a friend whose car stalled yesterday, and he and his wife spent the night at our house. He and I got into this very issue last night  — the pro-life movement and the advocacy of violence/war in national and international relations.  My friend is a pacifist, and he practices what he preaches.  He has radically altered his life to live as a pacifist.  It has cost him dearly in many ways.  Our conversation was spirited and delightful.  How can one say, “I am against abortion!” and support capital punishment or war as it is fought in today’s world?  How can one say, “I am against all war and violence to others!”  and advocate for the “right” to choose abortion?  Either position is inherently inconsistent and the arguments made by both camps collapse if looked at with any moral or intellectual honesty.

As I have said to many over the years: 1. I have no real political home.  2. I am about two inches from being a pacifist myself.  3. I am totally against abortion.  4.  Abortion needs to be outlawed because a well-legislated law would protect our freedom and ability to orient ourselves toward life and to choose it.  5. Legislating against abortion is only part of the task.  (We must get this right.)  We also must develop just social, political, economic and legal structures that support life, especially for vulnerable women and the poor.

One cannot be consistently pro-life and advocate for the right to choose abortion.  One cannot be pro-life and fail to work toward a more just social and political and economic reality that will support life.

One cannot be pro-life and then murder someone.

Life is sacred.

Posted in Ethics and Morality | 3 Comments »

Quote for the Day

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

“Live always in truth, that you may die in obedience.” — St. Francis of Assissi

Obedience to the truth always leads to freedom and beatitude.  Thus, the importance of always knowing the truth, directing ourselves to it, and choosing it freely.  This is the core of the moral life.

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | No Comments »

“Eating is a Moral Act”

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Log on to www.ncrlc.com/tabletalk.html

This is the website for the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. You will find there “Ethics of Eating” that is worth your while to read. I will quote a short piece from it below.

“Eating is a moral act, and sometimes a religious act. Yet, the gratitude for holy food and the salvation it brings is fully expressed only when we remember the unleavened bread was first eaten by slaves on the run and the cup of some drink is a cup of suffering.

“Just as I believe that Bread and Wine are transformed, so we are transformed… transformed into a people of compassion, people who see what others overlook, people who can begin to trace the vague outlines of the prophetic vision of the Reign of God where justice and mercy embrace and a grand table is set.

“Where bankers sit next to farmers, boarder (sic) guards converse with the undocumented and ranchers share toasts with environmentalists.  Where work gloves lie next to linen napkins, hands are scrubbed, feet are washed, thirst is quenched, hunger satisfied and there’s no hint of injustice, no whisper of enslavement, no sign of barbed wire anywhere!

“Eating is a moral act.  Our tables need to include those who’ve been excluded. Our talk needs to include our farmers, their families, the rural communities, our environment, our landscape, our countryside, religious and moral values. We are what we eat. By our choices we shape the world. By our conversations, our talking, we influence others. Let us remember the challenge we have to shape a world of justice and peace.”  — Br. David Andrew, CSC, 2-13-01

Posted in Ethics and Morality, General Interest | No Comments »

Conscience Clauses and President Obama

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

The USCCB is reporting that President Obama has promised to support conscience clauses in health care facilities.  There had been concern that conscience clauses that exist would have been eliminated with the current administration, putting thousands of Catholic health care providers in positions of having to quit their jobs, or being forced to participate in morally objectionable practices.  Catholic hospitals would have been faced with closure decisions if such clauses were to have been stripped.

Log on to www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2009/09-116.shtml for the report.  I would offer you a quote from that page:

“I am grateful for President Obama’s statement on May 17 that we should all ‘honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion,’ and his support for conscience clauses advancing this goal.

“Since 1973, federal law protecting the conscience rights of health care providers have been an important part of our American civil rights tradition.  These laws should be fully implemented and enforced.  Caring health professionals and institutions should know that their deeply held religious or moral convictions will be respected as they exercise their right to serve patients in need……Catholic providers, in particular, make a large and essential contribution to heath care in our society.  Essential steps to protect these conscience rights will strengthen our health care system and enhance many patients’ access to necessary life-affirming care.” — Cardinal Francis George

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 1 Comment »

Notre Dame, one last time

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

I’d like to direct your attention to a post (Obama and ND - a last gasp) made by Deacon Scott Dodge over at  www.scottdodge.blogspot.com 

He succinctly describes the basic issue for this whole affair, and he does so well.

Kudos to Deacon Dodge.

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Another Bishop’s Response to the Notre Dame Problem

Wednesday, May 13th, 2009

Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of the Diocese of Fargo wrote to Fr. Jenkins, president of Notre Dame on April 5, expressing his thoughts on President Obama’s invitation to speak and receive an honorary degree from Notre Dame in the next few days.  I would like to quote a section of the letter I found particularly incisive.  Please log on to the Diocese of Fargo’s website to read the letter in its entirety.

www.fargodiocese.org

“Inviting President Obama to award him a degree and to speak at a Catholic University implicitly extends legitimacy to his views on these issues in the minds of the average onlooker. Your actions and that of the Board of Trustees of Notre Dame do real harm to the mission of Catholic education in this country and further splinters Catholic witness in the public square. Your actions provide a forum for an advocate of abortion, in a university which is committed to teaching truths known to reason and science, and most of all to our faith in Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church. This places commitment to these truths on an equal plane with a commitment to an intrinsic evil which destroys innocent human life. Your judgment in this matter is seriously flawed, with damaging consequences, for “…you are not on the side of God, but of men” (Mt 16:23)”

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 6 Comments »

Another Interesting Article on Notre Dame

Friday, May 8th, 2009

Thanks to a good friend, I read another article related to this debacle.  This one is written by Rev. Robert A. Sirico in the National Review Online.  It is listed as appearing on April 17, 2009.  Fr. Sirico is president and co-founder of the Action Institute.

You can read it at: www.nationalreview.com   Search for the article entitled, “The Catholic Identity Crisis”.

Again, it is well-written.  It speaks not only of Notre Dame, but also of Georgetown University, and the recent presidential visit there.

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Notre Dame — Our Lady — Embarrassed?

Thursday, May 7th, 2009

Take a look at a great article written by Bishop David A. Zubik Pittsburgh Catholic.

www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.phtml?id=2466

Just a few quotes:

“Notre Dame — Our Lady — is a title and devotion that every Catholic holds close to heart.  Which is why it is so painful that the current leadership of the university has been so sadly forgetful of its responsibility to its sacred name, and to all the faithful, by deciding to give and honorary degree to our president, who has made so clear his opposition to the church’s teaching on the sacredness of human life. It must leave Our Lady — Notre Dame- embarrassed.

“To give an honorary degree, to confer such an honor, makes the statement that the recipient of the honor reflects the mind and heart of the giver. That certainly can’t be true in this instance!…It must, indeed, embarrass Our Lady.

“The action of Notre Dame has embarrassed Our Lady and embarrassed our church.”

Please take a look at the article for yourselves.  It is well-written, and contains a real challenge for each and every one of us!

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Equality in the Marriage Liturgy

Monday, May 4th, 2009

I was looking at the website for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org) and I see they are recommending both the bride and the groom be escorted down the aisle by their parents, as this expresses equality of the man and woman. This is the suggestion of the Catholic Rite of Marriage also.

I am all for equality.  But traditions like this are hard to break. Perhaps no need to do so either.

Oh, well.  I doubt the secular press will pick up on this aspect of the Catholic rite and hold it forth as another expression of the the Church’s respect for the equality of women. If anything, the Church in so many ways honors women and elevates them far beyond that of men. At least in her teaching.

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Sacraments | 3 Comments »

The Notre Dame Debacle

Monday, May 4th, 2009

I received an email from a friend recently.  He forwarded an article from www.LifeSiteNews.com in which are listed 57 bishops from all areas of the country who have sent letters to Father Jenkins at Notre Dame protesting providing President Obama a platform and honoring him in the upcoming graduation ceremonies.  It mentions Bishop Michael W. Warfel of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings as the latest to send a letter.

I am glad this is not going to occur without a continued strong protest from the leadership of our Church.

I do not think we can in any way directly or indirectly make ourselves participants in the sin of abortion. Silence alone is not sufficient. Or rationalizing away the seriousness of the killing of innocent unborn life.

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Obedience, Freedom, and Happiness

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

“Obedience to God’s commandments, far from alienating us from our humanity, is the pathway to genuine liberation and the source of true happiness.” — John Paul II

I have been reading John Paul II’s address to the bishops of Region X in June, 1998.  He made the statement quoted above in his opening remarks. In an age when so many are interiorly enslaved by sin, passions and misguided energies, his statement and teaching is so on target.

In the address, John Paul II spoke of a crisis of conscience and a crisis of freedom.  The former arises from the attempt nowadays of superseding genuine conscience with a counterfeiting “right to self-will” in which the mere assertion of one’s right to choose is the core “freedom.” John Paul II counters this with the recognition that true freedom is the right to do what one ought to do and to freely adhere to what is good and true.  His argument is rooted in Christian anthropology.  The Christian understanding of the human person and human nature is rooted in Jesus. Jesus was free to choose the will of the Father to whom he was oriented for our sake.  No one or no thing was to deter him from choosing the mission for which he was sent into this world.  His choice was real; and he was free. His freedom, though, resided not so much in his option to “save himself” from the cross, but in his complete freedom to choose to endure it despite the utter horror it was to bring in mind and body.

Human dignity consists then not only in the capacity and freedom to choose, but to do so wisely and in accord with the good to which we are called, as we see in Jesus.  The many martyrs are other examples for us.

The Church never arbitrarily imposes norms of morality.  Rather, she informs us to the good and the truth and calls us to act freely with the truth.  She articulates the divine law and reminds us of human nature. She calls us to fidelity.

Men and women of today know they are to live morally upright lives. They often struggle to explain exactly what this implies.  This uncertainty is fed by a skepticism in our culture of the very existence of moral truth. Just look how so many of us try to rationalize our personal habits and political views when they stand in opposition to that which God and our human nature have informed us.

Let us follow the example of Jesus, our model and guide.  He was truly free, with a freedom born in the truth of who he was in obedience to the will of the Father.  

It is only in him, and in following his example, that we will find real happiness.

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Popes | No Comments »

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