Edmund had a wealth of resources to support marriage and the family. His presentation contained many gems - I was reminded of some things that I have posted here but also alerted to others. There was a quote from Brock Chisolm, the Director of the World Health Organisation in 1946, describing parents as dictators and oppressors, Harriet Harman et al on "The Family Way", quotes from Barry Sheerman at the time of the SORs about not being serious about the faith, and a reference to St Gregory who told Augustine to preach about marriage and its benefits to overcome lawlessness in his missionary territory of England.
There was an interesting reference to Mit Brennender Sorge (n.39) with its special greetings for Catholic parents:
[...] we shall never cease frankly to represent to the responsible authorities the iniquity of the pressure brought to bear on you and the duty of respecting the freedom of education. Yet do not forget this: none can free you from the responsibility God has placed on you over your children. None of your oppressors, who pretend to relieve you of your duties can answer for you to the eternal Judge, when he will ask: "Where are those I confided to you?" May every one of you be able to answer: "Of them whom thou hast given me, I have not lost any one" (John xviii. 9)Edmund also emphasised the "Elephant in the Room" which is pornography, especially addiction to internet pornography which makes the promotion of "fair love" particularly urgent.
After lunch, Peter Williams spoke to us on the political question of redefining marriage. Arguing with secularists and politicians, it is important to focus on the social damage that is done by redefining marriage.
Peter emphasised the point that Marriage is a social good and is therefore also a social act which involves the community and provides conditions in which children can best be brought up. For example, research from the Centre for Social Justice shows that children of married parents are less likely to engage in anti-social behaviour. One good point, following from Pope Benedict is that marriage is a fundamental part of our "social ecology" which is something that needs to be protected even more importantly than our physical ecology.
He encouraged us to point out that there is no discrimination involved in opposition to the redefinition of marriage: it is still true that anyone can get married, but there is simply no such thing as same-sex "marriage." It is not "banned" and cannot be "legalised."
It was good to meet the priests who came to this excellent day, and to enjoy the hospitality of Fr Alexander Sherbrooke and the young adults from the School of Evangelisation who made us so welcome. For the end of the day, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction provided a peaceful oasis in the heart of London in the beautifully restored Church of St Patrick.
8 comments:
Thanks for this Fr Tim...it is very hard being a parent....
"there is no discrimination involved in opposition to the redefinition of marriage"
If preventing marriage between persons of the same sex is considered discriminatory then preventing marriage between siblings must be equally unjust!
Redefining the family and redefining marriage was part of the Home is a Holy place diocesan meetings we attended nearly 10 years ago.
Also, one of our children prepared a power point assembly on families. We had nothing to do with it, it was all his own work and idea and we were not at that time aware that such a presentation could not be shown in his Catholic school. It was altered a lot, and I don't think it was ever presented.
It is no surprise that Catholics don't have clear understanding of the issues Mr Williams was presenting, nor of the lack of any respect of the state towards parents.
Excellent post. The move to establish so called 'Same Sex Marriage' in the UK and America must be seen for what it is, an oxymoron. There can never be, in reality a marriage between persons of the same sex. There is no complementarity, no way to consummate such a co called marriage. Whatever the state imposes on society by employing a typical example of new-speak it cannot prevail against true marriage, the state of Holy Matrimony.
A germanophile pedant writes: only one 't' in 'mit'. It's a good quote.
Thanks, Mr Grumpy. Corrected now.
@patricius
Speaking as a gay man, quite happily in a relationship, I quite agree.
My partner and I, both Christians, are in a civil partnership, which is where we're staying. Almost all of my gay Christian friends are opposed to the idea of "gay marrage". Similarly, almost all of my non-Christian gay friends see the whole thing as an irrelevance.
Apart from the people (of whatever sexuality) who like to bang drums and stand on soapboxes and generally agitate, I can find very little support for the Government's proposals.
As children of a loving God, who has given us His Mother, if we meditate regularly on the Rosary(which is the gospel), our moral compass will swing, almost imperceptibly to our senses (in other words without a noticeable resistance or struggle so common in most spiritual exercises) into balance. We will intuitively become aware of what does or does not suit us, as human/spiritual/sexual beings. This is true. Test it out to prove it to your own soul. It is a fruit of the rosary, available to all who seek it. I believe the rosary to be part of our spiritual food, necessary especially, in these times.
Go here for loads of info:
http://www.rosary-center.org/
And go here (below), if you want to get started and pray with dozens of others, being led by a priest. You can add your intention too, before you join in.
http://www.comepraytherosary.org/
The rosary will change your life, which is eternal, never forget.
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