On this blog, a post that brings in as many as 30 comments is very unusual but that's just what a previous post has done with a continuing comment thread on the issue of abortion. In that thread, one commenter raises the question, "I am surprised there has been no mention of war in this discussion..."
With a H/T to the Deacon's Bench, here are some interesting Gallup Poll stats on what voters are interested in at this point in the election season:
Here's a post on the American Catholic bishops' interests and concerns, a post that has drawn only one comment on this page.
-ConcordPastor
I am a regular reader who edits a blog for their parish, but I comment here today under my own name for clarity's sake.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of life sadly has become the issue of so much infighting.
Some day I would love to write about my own faith journey in depth, but let me say this here...
I am 50- almost 51. I was away for church for 18 years and have just celebrated the 18th anniversary of my return.
When I did return I had two social issues that I knew would be a struggle for me... One was abortion and one was LGBT matters.
I have never had an abortion - I have never been pregnant. However, when I was younger, might I have had one?
Yes.
Would I now in the unlikely event of a pregnancy?
No.
At the time of my re-entry to the RC church, I had many (and continue to do so) conversations with God. I really prayed for help around that one.
Let me simply say that many years of active faith life and many years of conversation, prayer, sharing and more finally helped me unlock my own feelings about abortion and the fact that it was wrong.
Then the long journey to explore "choice" for others... It carries on for me, it truly does.
All this is said, because there is rarely a space for any meaningful and prayerful, respectful, let me say again respectful conversation on the topic.
Maybe I was just lucky to have been in parishes where I could talk to clergy and others about this matter.
If I had not had lots of conversations, well - who knows where I would be?
Conversations and prayer and eucharist, dare I say it. I really believe that my constancy of being at the table created a condition of willingness in me, even when I was not sure I wanted to be willing.
Is that not our faith?
My long ramble is to say that I think that the church would benefit greatly from room for conversation meant to lead people to the light.
The tone and tenor of conversation really got me down in the past and gets me down still. It is very hard.
It also struck me as I looked at the photo of the Bishops (and God knows and thank God we have a great one here) that I do feel some anger at the room of men. I am sorry but it is true. So I guess I had 3 issues.
Abortion is one that I am clear about but only after 18 years! Does that make me a bad person? I don't think so, I think... it is a question of chronos and kairos and chronos does not always work in manifestation of the fullness of time in God's will, as I understand it.
So abortion, women's ordination and LGBT issues.
One issue down and two to go.
Still pressing on in faith and in hope, working and praying for peace and justice.
Does this long and very honest comment get me tossed from your blog? That was a lame attempt at humor as I close. I am grateful for the forum you provide here.
Pax et bonum.
Perhaps Concord Pastor could explain the Church's position on ordination and same-sex marriage so you could understand it better.
ReplyDeleteFran: thanks for your lengthy and substantive comment. I am particularly hopeful that the forum here can be a place where those who are wrestling, grappling and struggling with Church teaching can find a place to learn, grow and understand.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, what I call "sledgehammering the truth" is often counter-productive and not only turns people off but turns them away. Too much of that happens in the quick and angry one liners, often directed at those who are still hurting from life's circumstances and decisions they have made.
I hope your comment will invite other readers to respect their own journeys on such matters and to consider more deeply what the Church teaches. And I pray that others will respect others' journeys, too, and leave the sledgehammers in the garage.
Amen to that Concord Pastor!
ReplyDeleteAs to anonymous - I understand but it does not always make it easy to agree with and submit to.
If questions are not allowed, how can it be called faith?
Looking at the long and rich and not always pretty history of our great church, I'd say that the church's position does not remain static.
Change comes - often slowly and with great wisdom.
Thank you for your thoughtful, prudent comments, Fran. Each person's faith journey is his/her own. At different points on the journey we grapple with the sometimes very difficult issues before us. The fact that we struggle to come to grips with church teachings that we may not agree with is a testament to our willingness to try to inform our consciences, to learn by questioning. Rather than treat people with, as CP mentions, a "sledgehammer" approach, a better way would be to welcome and encourage each person on his/her faith journey.
ReplyDeleteI reread the post with the American Catholic bishops' interests and concerns. Their approach is much more measured and pastoral than that of some who comment on this or other blogs.
Among the bishops' many interests is of upholding the sanctity of marriage, which is under attack in many places, including California and Connecticut.
ReplyDelete