Dear Editor: Having read Kelly Bothum’s column (Nov. 15), I have a few questions and thoughts. The writer laments the less-than-welcoming stance of the Church toward those in “messy, non-traditional, perfectly imperfect,” family situations.
My question is, why does the Church teach such hard doctrines and stand firm in defending traditional morality?
The answer is that we are called to holiness and charged with standing firm in Gospel truths. These doctrines didn’t come from thin air and from a nasty, unwelcoming Church. Jesus Himself taught these doctrines. One needs only to read the Scriptures to see His teaching on divorce. He was very direct in admonishing the Samaritan woman at the well, “You are right in saying you have no husband, for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband.”
Pretty clear and direct in my opinion. The same goes for homosexual relations. Judeo-Christian tradition is very clear about how we are to conduct our moral lives. Why is it that this generation, given these directives by Our Lord, expects the Church to bow to this culture and time?
Some years ago, I had a conversation with a “progressive” Protestant minister (his description) on exactly these topics. He said times have changed, and we Catholics better get with the times and get in line!
I asked, “Do you say the Lord’s Prayer at Sunday services?” “Yes,” he responded, “of course!” “How does it go Reverend?” He asked, “Are you serious?” and began to pray the Our Father. When he got to the part, “Thy will be done,” I stopped him. “It’s God’s will not ours, and His will is defined by the Scriptures and oral tradition.” He got up, excused himself and left.
We Catholics and our Church answer not to this age but to a higher, timeless Authority. How many countless martyrs, for hundreds of years, have witnessed to these truths and paid the price with their lives? It’s not about what we want but what God wants.
MICHAEL MATTES
Bayside
Dear Editor: I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Bothum’s column (Nov. 15) entitled, “A Modern Synod is Needed for a Modern Family!”
She hits the nail on the head regarding homosexuality, divorce, etc., in regards to our fellow parishioners. I am beyond pleased at the openness our pope has professed, yet I am distressed at his underlings’ refusal to accept everyone as God’s children.
I also do not appreciate the parsing between “loving the homosexual but hating the sin.” Maybe the men in charge of the parishes and dioceses throughout the U.S. should look more closely at their own membership and the true sins they have committed against innocents, not pointing out the supposed misdeeds of people who were born in a specific way. Further, if the powers that be truly believe that homosexuality is a learned behavior, then I guess my son learned homosexuality in his 13 years of Catholic school. If I thought along their lines, I would lay the “blame” at their feet.
Thank you, Ms. Bothum, for illustrating how the powers-that-be in the Church have a long way to go to disprove “All are welcome – as long as they aren’t one of those.”
This practicing Catholic, who is struggling with her faith because of its stand on her firstborn, thanks you mightily.
KRIS TAPPER
Greenpoint