The Truth Will Set You Free - Mind the Gap!

Fr Hugh MacKenzie FAITH Magazine September-October 2008

Fr Hugh MacKenzie is Parish Priest of Willesden Green Parish, London, and Editor of FAITH

Raising Parochial Awareness of Anti-Life Culture

The articles at the beginning of this issue have touched upon the extent to which secularization has entered within the Church. Our January 2006 editorial had this as its main theme. Many parish priests can confirm that relativist, utilitarian and/or anti-life priorities concerning the moral life have been allowed, in varying degrees, to take hold in the minds of many parishioners. Challenging this gradual but relentless process is itself a challenging and wide-ranging task. This Autumn is a particularly opportune time for encouraging our parishioners to reflect upon the fact that there is actually a significant gap between modern moral values and those of Christ in the Church. It looks as if the HumanEmbryology and Fertilization Bill is to become law, allowing, among other things, cloning up to birth, and probably ‘liberalising’ our abortion law. British Catholic Bishops have earlier this year been clear about the Catholic position, which makes engaging with the task at hand a lot easier. Opposite are two possible leaflets directed at some such awareness raising. These have been used in newsletters in Willesden Green, London, as a way of inviting parishioners further to come together to reflect about and freely discuss the past and present undermining of human life. As a result a PIA (Pray, Inform, Act) pro-life group has formed. The first table focuses upon anti-life attitudes in general, the second upon the above mentioned Bill.

MIND THE GAP! No.1.

THE PRESENT: Concerning the beginning of human life you have probably noticed the following massive ‘gap’ between the left hand side column and the right hand side

THE PAST: Two possible explanations of the cause of this gap

Catholic Church has been seriously mistaken, and modern world has become deeply enlightened about human life and love.

or

The effects upon England of Original Sin, the 16th century Reformation’s denial of Christ’s bestowal of authority upon the Pope, and the 1960’s reduction of the meaning of sex, have been cultural ‘atomic explosions’ with massive fall out.

THE FUTURE: Two possible scenarios

The family will continue to be redefned along secular lines. Catholic Church will continue to dwindle, with continuing loss of religious vocations, young people, parishes etc

or

Catholic Church renews its and society’s understanding of the teachings about love which it has received and handed on from Christ.

WHICH FUTURE WILL BE HAPPIER?
WHICH IS THE WILL OF GOD?
MIGHT NOT THE OTHER LEAD TO SOCIAL CALAMITY?

Pray about it and come to an open discussion on <date> to discuss these issues.

MIND THE GAP! No. 2

Concerning the recent legislation in Parliament between two belief systems both claiming to be rational, both attempting to convince others, but both cannot be true

Note

In taking the Christian position we are being profoundly rational and human. This does not mean that we think our political leaders are evil people. Nor do we have “phobias” against people who want to do things we think are wrong. We just profoundly disagree with their opinions. We think these particular opinions of theirs are seriously false. And whatever they might say about tolerance, they think our opinions are seriously false. We can respect other aspects of each others’ lives and are called to love each other (i.e. by Christ!)

Let us take up our Cross and take heart. Christ is knocking at the door, already forgiving and beginning the rebuilding of his Kingdom.