Bulletins
March 15, 2015
Download the Bulletin as a PDFIt would be wise for us to be ready for the worst case scenario, that is, a June decision by the federal judiciary that states must grant marriage licenses to couples of the same sex.
Then why do I say that it is not too late for us to prevent America's demise from a deficiency of marriage? Law shapes culture but virtue does not depend on laws. Furthermore, as the culture of marriage weakens, the marriages truly worthy of envy will stand out all the more.
With prayer and penance it is possible for us to be made capable of receiving what God desires to grant us... and it is difficult to imagine that God wants our culture to deteriorate further. So, pray and fast.
Some people will be receptive to your explaining why marriage is between a man and a woman, why same-sex intimacy, physical and otherwise, is harmful and what the difference is between government not punishing harmful behavior and granting legal protection to it. So prepare and study.
On a practical level, right-thinking State legislators need to be ready to enact laws that will limit the culture damage and the threat to charity, business and property posed by a federal mandate in favor of same-sex marriage. To whatever degree it is possible, the federal government needs to carve out legal protection for citizens to refrain from approving of this cultural phenomenon. This matter should not be added to the list of supposedly settled issues that are beyond the reach of legislators and are irrelevant to the discernment of voters. So lobby and vote... not to promote a party that has abandoned you but to promote the truth.
Any sign of acquiescence let alone approval of disordered marriage by anyone of influence will make it that much harder to limit the negative effects of its having gained legal protection. Meanwhile the Church in the United States will need to reconsider if clergy should renouce their status as officers of the State who are authorized to conduct civil marriages. It is difficult to imagine that some States will not try to force all marriage officiants to witness marriages that violate their conscience.
Do l have friends who are in same-sex relationships? Do I love them? Do I want them to be well and happy? I do. I do. I do. Do I have to approve of same-sex marriage in order to prove that I love everyone? Do I have to approve of same-sex marriage if I also believe that homosexuals should not be incarcerated for their affections? Do I have to approve of same-sex marriage in order to be considered a good American? I don’t. I don’t. I don’t.
Lastly, do not be afraid. We will suffer for a time and the suffering will be severe for some. The heroes of previous generations faced dreadful crises. We should face dire circumstances with the expectation that the Church is opening another historic chapter. Twenty one Egyptian victims became twenty one Christian martyrs. God be praised.
We who are about to die salute you!
God bless you.
Fr. Christopher J. Pollard
