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Contents © 2004
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.
LETTERS
March 2004
BEYOND HYPOCRISY
I am not a Catholic but was given your paper by a Catholic friend. In fact, I am a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have a son who is gay and was very offended by your stance on gays in your church, be they lay or clergy. Your article goes way beyond hypocrisy; it is downright full of hatred. It is surpassed only by the teachings of the Mormon Church. It is amusing to me that religion is always used to promote one's agenda, whether it be popes, bishops, elders, and their followers. Where is Christ in all of this? Surely, you folks have never known Him.
Jack Hesson,
Fullerton
Editor replies: Truth is often offensive to those who do not want to acknowledge the truth. Uttering the truth, even if it offends someone, is not rooted in hate, if the utterance arises out of a concern for the good of souls. Jesus offended the Pharisees and scribes; was He, thereby, full of hate? The truth about homosexuality is that it is an unnatural inclination. The truth about homosexual acts is that they are gravely sinful. Those who engage in such acts need to be told the truth about them, lest they continue in behavior destructive of their souls and bodies. Indeed, the Church has called such truth-telling a spiritual act of mercy. Likewise, promoting a political "agenda," if that "agenda" is in accord with the truth about God and man, is a good, necessary, and charitable act.
ADD SALT TO FUNDRAISING
I have wondered why the PR committee for the Together-in-Mission annual fundraiser of the L.A. archdiocese persists in putting out full-color brochures and posters on coated stock. When I helped with pro-life fundraisers, we never worried about looking so slick, because donors would only wonder what we did with their donations.
Instead of a costly annual appeal and costly follow-up mailers, the archdiocese should consider second collections three times a year, announced ahead of time, and provide a modest envelope for the second collection. I would suggest that the Together-in-Mission appeals coordinate with "Humanae Vitae Sundays." The sanctity of life theme (for Roe v. Wade) in January, a Mother's Day theme in May, and youth themes for prom and back-to-school are good times of the year for Catholic families and youth and young adults to think seriously about Humanae Vitae. Love and life -- the unitive and procreative aspects of married love -- go hand in hand. "Humanae Vitae Sundays" would give families a chance to speak about, and would give youth a chance to renew, their commitment to chastity before as well as after marriage.
On "Humanae Vitae Sundays," excerpts from Humanae Vitae should be read aloud from the pulpit -- the same passage from every pulpit in the archdiocese. For a moment, at least, every Catholic that went to Mass that Sunday would be "on the same page." Then take up the second collection. It would give a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Together in Mission." Isn't it more likely that the practicing Catholics will more vigorously support an appeal for financial donations from bishops and priests who are vigorously standing up for the Faith? How likely is it that nominal Catholics will respond to the Together in Mission appeal of a church that is Catholic in name only?
An appropriate passage to read from Humanae Vitae might be the prophetic warning about the acceptance of contraception leading to the acceptance of abortion. Or the warning about how governments might initiate policies contrary to Catholic doctrine, were the modern world to accept contraception as a way of life. It should be pointed out that, since Humanae Vitae was written, we now have had legalized abortion forced on us by the U.S. Supreme Court (in Roe v. Wade) and universal payment for pharmaceutical contraceptives forced on us by the California legislature, through the prescription drug benefits for privately-funded health plans (in the Women's Contraceptive Equity Act).
All of the bishops of California need to stand up for the rank-and-file Catholics. They should call for the repeal of the Women's Contraceptive Equity Act, or, better yet, start up the referendum for its repeal. In the meantime, the California bishops should stop paying for contraception, even if it means eliminating prescription drug benefits from health plans funded by Catholic institutions. It's a decision that Catholic families who are serious about Catholic morality have to face.
Jesus said that if salt loses its flavor, it would be thrown out and trampled underfoot. The only way for salt to lose its flavor is to water it down or contaminate it. When the bishops take the lead in an undiluted and unequivocal stand for morality, we may see an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as well as an increase in donations.
Lila Cuajunco,
Torrance