Pro-Life Matters

Pro Life Matters, Now More Than Ever

Gospa Missions Conference at the Camp, Speaker Eric Scheidler from Pro-Life Action League

By Daniel Rodan Weikert

     Just days before the fierce presidential race came to its close, Gospa Missions held it’s Catholic Conference at the Camp. Speaker, Eric Scheidler, Executive Director for the Pro-Life Action League offered insight regarding details on the HHS Mandate, the country’s current situation and every Catholics mission to support the unborn’s right to life. America’s decision will have serious ramifications for the pro-life movement. Eric pointed out however “Today, more than ever, God is calling Christians in this day and age to stand up for pro-life values and ideas”.

     Speaking of Ideas and how they matter, Eric outlined and referred to the “Phenomenon of the Pro-Life Catholic” and “four reasons for the Catholic domination of the Pro- Life movement”. Here’s a synopsis:

1.)  Devotion to Our Lady. Catholics understand the value and sacredness of the Blessed Virgins womb, the place where the New Ark of the Covenant and Light of the World become flesh. Abortion seeks to kill in the place that we know is Sacred.

2.) The Holy Eucharist. The doctrine, reality and presence of Jesus being in the Eucharist and working miracles that lead to life via the host is only in the Catholic Church. It is a literal IN the Church. While many claim to have relationship with Christ, we actually hang out with Him! This closeness leads Catholics to be very engaged in the teachings and movements related to life.

3.) Structure of the Church. Simply put, the robust nature of Roman Catholicism gives us more resources, direction and leadership. Documents, official teachings and the hierarchy’s leadership empower Catholics to stand firm in the face of the world.

4.) Humanae Vitae, the Churches official teaching on the sanctity of life. When one reads the document; the supernaturally true, philosophically logical and spiritually powerful teachings of Christ’s Church regarding current issues of life come into focus and can inspire us.

    Why we believe what we do is only part of the equation of being informed. Part of the universal healthcare system labeled “Obama-care” includes the hotly debated HHS Mandate. The HHS Mandate inevitably puts itself on a collision course ideologically, morally and practically with historical Christian values and beliefs. The obvious issue of forcing religious institutions to offer sterilization, abortive drugs and birth control, we all know offends the teachings of the Church and potentially forces millions into a conflict with their beliefs and conscience. Mr. Scheidler also points out the whole HHS philosophical premise is anti-Catholic, saying “The Mandate treats pregnancy almost like a disease and motherhood as a treatable condition.” As if something were “wrong” with them. He continued “Catholics cannot adopt this backwards ideology”

    HHS supporters will cite the religious exemption in the legislation, however, this exemption, as Scheidler observes “Seeks to limit religious influence through its oppressive definition of how a religious institution can operate”. The definition is based off of narrow wording in the tax code and applies to institutions only when dealing with those who share their faith. This seriously affects the ability to offer service to millions, effectively muting the mouth of the Church and tying her hands in its attempt to help in these fields.

    The precedent it sets though is even worse. If the Government can control who we (private institutions) reach out to and how we do it in the health system, then what could follow? We’ve already seen its affects on American Catholic orphanages, closing many doors because Catholic organizations followed the Church and sociological research and would not adopt children to homosexual couples. Will schools be next on this slippery slope of state infringing on Church, effectively forcing a new secular moral and value system?

     Mr. Schiedler related a simple but powerful theological reflection to our conflict with the HHS Mandate. Catholics must follow Our Ladies “yes” to issues of life as she did with Christ’s biological one, instead of the Mandate’s “no”.

    Of course, putting our faith into action has always been a vital component of Catholicism. “We need boots on the ground” Eric stated. “If Obama care is the new lay of the land, then the pro-life movement must speak out for truth. Religious freedom needs to be defended and our rights acted in, our work is just beginning to recreate a Christian culture and a culture of life.”

Eric Scheidler is the executive director of the Pro-Life Action League. The League recruits, equips and trains pro-lifers to put their convictions into action at the grassroots level via activism, education and witness. For more info see http://prolifeaction.org/

Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon

    Recently, a female friend of mine asked me to outline a talk to be given at a woman's conference. She was speaking but does so rarely, I was not, but do give presentations. She's the type that prefers something specific to read from so I agreed to help. Her topic was a short reflection on a biblical model of motherhood.
    Now, her time was limited to 10 minutes, AND it was an Anglican (more evangelical) event. So gone were the pages and pages of offerings from the catechism on Mary as an option. I did throw something in there of course. Gone also was an opportunity to wax theological on multiple elements of the verses and what they imply. This had to be to the point and able to be digested in a few minutes.
 You actually want to be a mother?!!
    My very first "official" sermon, as a protestant of course, was on mother's day. I had almost forgotten the themes I pored over years ago. As I did a basic topical study and wrote some points out for my friend, I was reminded of what a hugely honorable and important calling motherhood is said to be in scripture.
     Nowadays, here in the West and in other aging and largely secular Judeo- Christian cultures (some) such as Europe, motherhood is rarely on the desired occupation lists for younger women. There's not a whole lot wrong with the other options of course, such as a career or other self interests. But the IDEA of motherhood had been put down, seen as oppressive or too hard according to modern thinking. Something that strips one of their personal freedom instead of giving new freedoms to engage. Something that gets in the way of finding love, instead of enhancing true love and offering new dimensions of it. Such as sacrifice for example. Not to mention the miracle of participating in God's creative process in regards to souls and then passing on faith.
 What's so special about it?
    Rather than pen an Op Ed (as a man) and mention all the reasons why motherhood is fabulous. I'll just let the scripture verses refocus the basic concepts. As if continuing the human race, bringing likely Christians into the world, saving western civilization and enjoying the fruit of your loins isn't enough.
 So while you get your tea, coffee or beer you can play Urge Overkills version of Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon (from the movie Pulp Fiction, which in no way is edifying regarding motherhood) Below:

 

So here's some of the outline:   Cheers ladies! (and gents)  >

 

Decoding Pope Benedict, well, partially.

    Benedict's papacy is regarded as an enigma to many. For staunch ultra-conservatives, who are often not fans of Vatican II's perceived ambiguity, he's viewed as a slight improvement but still too much in step with the negative effects of modernism in the Church; Not traditional enough in matters of ecclesiology or too ecumenical. To theological liberals and revisionists he's viewed as "part of the problem"; a church that's antiquated and out of touch with modern thought and redefined morals.
    Much has been written about the complexities of these debates. Is Benedict too modern or too traditional? Does he possess too much of a theological dualism? Is he doing enough to help "cure" the problems we face,or is he just some "interim" guy until we figure out what the heck is going on with the Church nowadays? I find these trajectories of opinion to be held by those who don't read or study him much or by those who usually only read others slanted critiques of him.
    To be fair, there are reasons, maybe not great ones that should be at the top of the priority list, for the opinions above. However, if one reads and tries to know the Pope then themes start to appear, almost as if he has a larger vision for the struggles and joys of the faithful and Church. Almost as if, the Holy Spirit gave the Church her leader at this particular time even if most don't want to pay attention and are energized by all the griping instead.
    For a larger perspective and one that may bear more spiritual fruit than listening to the small but loud chorus of dissenters, revisionists and overall crybabies on church hierarchy related topics, here are a couple of informative articles about the passions, teachings and overall legacy of Pope Benedict the XVI.
    I would highly suggest reading his unprecedented interview and book Light of the World. A candid look into the mind and heart of the man and successor of Peter chosen by the Spirit to lead the Church in these most interesting times.


Pope Benedict Makes Moves To Secure His Legacy
By Russell Shaw from Our Sunday Visitor:
http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/9060/Pope-Benedict-makes-moves-to-secure-his-legacy.aspx

The Spiritual heritage of Pope Beneidict XVI
By yours truly from the Pittsburgh Catholic
http://www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.php?id=3350   

Christians Should Laugh at Themselves (and liberal emerging churchies too)

  We all need a good laugh sometimes. I read one time laughing is like carbonated grace. When we find something funny that has any element of a larger truth behind it, we can see our perspectives a bit clearer. Even if we disagree on the subject. Ironically, that's the funny thing about something funny. Two people may completely disagree about the topic but can share the same joyeous response in humor.
  Here's some laugh worthy lines:

  "The word "good" has many meanings.  For example, if a man were to shoot his grandmother at a range of five hundred yards, I should call him a good shot, but not necessarily a good man."  ~G.K. Chesterton

  "I have an existential map. It has 'You are here' written all over it" ~ Steven Wright
  
   Lady Astor: "If I were married to you, I'd put poison in your coffee."

      Winston Churchill Reply: "If I were married to you, I'd drink it."
(this famous riposte from Churchill probably is not his own and dates to who knows how early!)

"God is dead." ~ Nietzsche
"Nietzsche is dead." ~ God

On that note, below are some very funny youtube clips from the The Lutheran Satire: In an age when so many want so desperately to make Church related (ecclesiastical) things relevant to pop culture, these vids are side splitting! Enjoy and have a fantastic week.