A Catholic Hooray for Chick-fil-A: Stand in Solidarity for Marriage on August 1st
policy. The institutions of government should, when acting properly, defend marriage against those who would redefine it.
Christians (at least orthodox, faithful ones) are increasingly presented as unenlightened, forcing "our view" on others. When, in fact, our positions on marriage, family, authentic freedom, the dignity of every human person, and the nature of truth as objective are what frees people from the bondage of disordered appetites. These truths are objectively true for all men and women. We were made for relationship. We were structured for authentic love and human flourishing within marriage and family - and a society founded upon family.
We live in what Pope Benedict XVI called a "Dictatorship of Relativism." The relativists of this age have managed to persuade even some Christians that there are no objective truths; there are only "my" truths and "your" truths. They have relegated the Christian position on the very existence of truths and rights to only being "religious" positions in order to then marginalize their importance in informing the social order.
Our Protestant Christian friends are correct. The Bible is clearly against homosexual practices and for true marriage as between one man and one woman for life. However, in a culture which has all but rejected the authority of the Bible, we also need to present our position in the language of the Natural Law as the Apostle Paul did in his letter to the Romans.
Catholic Christians insist that there is a Natural Law, "present in the heart of each man and established by reason." This law "is universal in its precepts and its authority extends to all men. It expresses the dignity of the person and determines the basis for his fundamental rights and duties." (Catechism of the Catholic Church# 1956)
It is here that we find the ground for the moral truths which should inform our life together in a truly just and free society. It is here where we also find those fundamental and foundational human rights which we insist must be recognized by the civil or positive law as rightfully belonging to all men and women.
The Catholic position that homosexual sexual practices are objectively disordered and our opposition to efforts to undermine true marriage through what I call the "Homosexual Equivalency Movement" - the movement which wants to call what can never be a marriage a marriage and then use the Police Power of the State to force all of us to do the same - is rooted in this Natural Law which binds all men and women.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church wrote in 2003, "The Church's teaching on marriage and on the complementarity of the sexes reiterates a truth that is evident to right reason and recognized as such by all the major cultures of the world. Marriage is not just any relationship between human beings. It was established by the Creator with its own nature, essential properties and purpose."
"No ideology can erase from the human spirit the certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman, who by mutual personal gift, proper and exclusive to themselves, tend toward the communion of their persons. In this way, they mutually perfect each other, in order to cooperate with God in the procreation and upbringing of new human lives."
There is a Cultural Revolution underway in the West with two conflicting visions of the human person, human freedom, human flourishing and marriage and the family founded upon it as the first cell of a truly just society. We will never support the efforts to give promiscuous heterosexual or homosexual relationships the same status as monogamous marriage, period.
Now, a new form of censorship seeks to silence us from even expressing our truth claims by insisting that our positions are "religious" and therefore must be confined within our Church Walls. We must resist. Send a hearty Catholic Hooray for Chick-fil-A: Eat More Chicken, Stand in Solidarity with Others Defending True Marriage on August 1, 2012.
- - -
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Keywords: Chick fil-A, gay marriage, homosexual, homosexual equivalency movement, Truett Cathy, Dan Cathy, marriage, Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee, billy Graham, Deacon Keith Fournier
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Rob, I dislike all the parties. What can I say? I know what both are capable of and have done...and usually it is the same thing. But I just can not take another 4 more years of Obama. His laws, His friends, his excuses, his blunders, etc. His whole government stinks to high heaven. Romney hasn't had a chance yet. Nothing can be worse than this country's mess.I don't need to reiterate them. Personally, I think I will be in dire straits if Obama wins. Obama had his turn.
What good did he do? Spew rhetoric? Not to me. Obama and Out. Blessings...
Judy, in many ways I find the dems more trustworthy. Now before you fall out of your chair, let me explain. The immorality that pervades their party is no secret. They embrace and are open with it. We know exactly where they stand. But what I find completely offensive is the GOP's tactic of using God and country to get votes and then forget the promises once they are in office. Thier social platform only rears it's head during elections and legislation is halfhearted, mostly political stunts that do nothing. Our federal folks do not have the guts that our state legislators seem to have. Personally, I'm sick of being played by them. Some of you may be ok with getting used, but I am not.
The only reason we have Romney as a nominee is because the others went to far on the social issues. And as we all know, it's the social issues that will save this country or destroy it. I'm not sure what the dems care about, but the GOP has a god and it's money. There will be no moral awakening, taking our country back etc with these guys. Just more of the same...espeically with Mitt...the guy has no core. I have no idea how in the world he became the nominee.
Hi Vance! Yes, the Church I believe was slow, but at least she's "... getting in the ring now". We must accept what is, as she has had to accept and deal with her mischievous children as well. Pope Benedict knows how to bite! Thank God! Because in my humble opinion, this non-Catholic teaching in Catholic colleges, has gone on waaay too long. An entire generation.The only thing I will say here, is that it is evil, and Not of God. The Holy See's love and compassion and negotiations were too long. Now, I should be chastised! Who am I to question Peter? Did not Paul, and many others go to him? Did not Jesus Christ Our Lord choose him? I should be ashamed. He has the whole world on his shoulders. We must pray for our Holy Father...
The Bishops seem to be on a united front, with more than a half dozen taking the lead. That is marvelous! It did Not take the HHS Mandate to wake up some. A few were in the ring before the first Obama election. I forget if they are bishops or archbishops, so I won"t quote names here.
OBAMA and OUT!
Jo Ann: "Right on"! America, the Land of the Free, is for ALL. Just like Our Catholic Church is for ALL. We are trying to keep both, by voting out Obama. Do you not see how they go hand in hand? "God Bless Us Everyone"!
Dear Friends: Let's not lose sight of what this is all about. The left "again" has succeeded in changing the narrative. They have us distracted again. The main issue here is the FIRST AMENDEMENT! Mr. Cathy has the RIGHT to express his opinion. He has a right to practice and voice his Faith. He did not attack the "gay community." He just voiced that he believed in traditional marriage. AND, I say, he can do anything he wants with his money for that matter.. If this was an attack on homosexuals, where are the protesters on divorced and remarried citizens. He also said he was still married to his first wife. No, my friends, let's take this narrative back. Our 1st Amendment rights are again being infringed upon and any "gay" citizen out there with any ounce of sense should get the chip off their shoulder and stand up for 1st amendment. In the long run, it is your 1st amentment right that is being infringed upon also, NOT your lifestyle. God bless.
Hi Judy, Yes, the Party of Death has a long track record of corruption, lies and deceit in it's quest to transform America into a communist country. They have made great strides this past four years. The HHS mandate woke up a lot of Catholics. Anyone who read Obamacare saw the mandate in the law back in 2009. The Church is too slow on the draw. They should have file suit right along side the GOP's lawsuit. Unless Romney wins with a GOP congressional majority, we will be Mexico 1920's. Keep up the good work.
Theresa H., I agree! Very Good Post! "Sacred Heart Of Jesus, Immaculate Heart Of Mary, Pray For Us" .
I still don't believe Dan Cathy of Chic-Fil-A was making a mere "political statement." Like other business-owners who have deeply-held religious beliefs, he will be FORCED even more than the Churches to pay for abortions and contraceptives in his employee healthcare plans--against his solemn religious beliefs. According to the First Amendment, he should not be forced to do this. Period. If someone doesn't like this "right" of Dan Cathy, they need not apply for a job with Chic-Fil-A! It's as simple as that! (Or does he not have the right to hire who he wants for his own business?) Why is the government creating all these imaginary "rights" and regulations over people! Whatever happened to "limited government"...? On top of "HIPAA," we now have thousands and thousands and thousands of pages of government regulations--on everything under the sun!
Kathy, Loved your post! Blessings...
Vance and Rob, Well, here we go on the merry-go-round! One says its one party that makes a mess that the other has to clean up; the other says its the other party. Honestly, I think a lot of us think that way. Though Rob, you have to admit, in your saying you vote Rep., you sure support the Dems. I know Vances' colors. He's true blue. And that's okay if you Rob, like to change...after all, that is what Freedom is. It is just that, a Dem. use to be a Dem. But Now, he is a mixture of many: Dem, liberal Dem, Marxist Dem., Extreme Left Dem,,it is pretty darn hard to tell, unless one hears them speak. And yes Rob, if that is what you would like to wish upon us, thanks for the good wishes...I just Hope we keep Peace and Freedom and Faith and Love. Blessings..