It has been another very busy week
for the HLI family, for many reasons. I am with Dr. Brian Clowes in
Hawaii sharing the Gospel of Life at the invitation of the Diocese of
Honolulu's Pro-Life Office and Bishop Larry Silva.
Our very kind
hosts have kept us busy and well cared for. The "Catholics Reaffirming
Life" symposium has been wonderful: We began with a day of teaching
priests, religious, and deacons on Oahu, and we will repeat the program
for these groups and laity over the remainder of our eight day mission,
traveling to various islands.
Along with the great weather, the faithful here have lifted our hearts at a very difficult time.
We
have gone another week without a clarification from the Holy See on the
unchangeable nature of our beloved Church's teaching on contraception.
The ripple effects continue as well: the media seems affirmed in its
claim that the Church has changed its position. A statement has come
from the Philippines adding to the confusion. There remains an
appearance of division in the Church on this key teaching, as Latin
American bishops who have defended the Church's teaching during the
panic surrounding the spread of the Zika virus seem to be on their own.
Each time HLI has responded in love and in truth. And we are not alone: LifeSiteNews
has gathered several statements
from organizations and thinkers that reaffirm the Church's position.
Especially notable was a passionate statement from pro-life champion
Jill Stanek, who is not Catholic, but who realizes that the Church's
teaching on contraception is essential to shore up the fight against
abortion. And the National Catholic Bioethics Center has also published
an excellent
review of the Church's teaching on contraception as it pertains to the Zika panic.
We
are not alone. Like many others, including many reading this letter, we
at HLI accepted the mission to step out into the world and joyfully
defend the most vulnerable using the unchangeable teaching of the Church
on life. We believed -- and still believe -- that the truth about the
human person as revealed by Christ is best taught in the Magisterium of
the Catholic Church. We believe that every human problem, large or
small, has at its foundation the act of turning away from God and His
law, and that the Church gives us in every age the guidance to
understand our times and turn back toward Him.
It is our deepest
desire to serve the Church and the Holy Father, which is why we will
remain in the Truth of Christ. We can do no other. We do this in
complete and obedient service to the Church and her Magisterium.
Yet
it is hard to communicate just how serious this situation is to
everyone. A month ago, really the entire history of the Church, a priest
like me could stand in front of a class and say with complete
confidence that the Church teaches that it is never morally licit for
married couples to use contraception. People may have disagreed, but the
priest could explain logically from Church teaching and sources like
Theology of the Body exactly how this is a foundational teaching for
marriage and family. Now, this teaching has not changed in the least,
but confusion is rampant. Today I can stand in front of a class full of
faithful people -- those who have no desire to dissent from the Church
but don't necessarily know what to make out of the news reports
following Pope Francis' return flight from Mexico -- and say the same
truth, and people wonder if what I am saying is only intended for
certain times or situations.
We are grateful that you are
standing with us during this difficult time. The truth does not change,
therefore the Church's teaching on contraception will not change. We
redouble our efforts first in prayer, imploring the intercession of
Saint John Paul II, Blessed Paul VI, and all the saints who found
themselves standing joyfully as a sign of contradiction against a world
that seems bent on self-destruction.
Peace and strength, my brothers and sisters! Our Church needs us now.
