It's On

That is a time honored phrase, uttered by many before about every confrontation and test of wills throughout history. Conflicts of all kinds, political fights, sporting events, have had those words uttered when the test commenced. “It’s on”.

Well, it’s on. It’s time. Folks, including some of our bishops and leaders have got to pick a side. Time to make a choice. And, the choice makes many uncomfortable, both in the laity and some in the clergy.

Christ has always made it known through his Church that there is no gray area on life and death, even more so when it comes to innocent life. Life is precious, and is worth fighting for.

For decades we’ve known this truth. To take an innocent life of a child is an intrinsic evil. Not a prudential judgement. There IS a difference. Too many fail to realize that, or know it. It’s in your Catechism. Check it out. There is a BIG difference.

For decades we’ve failed to talk about it, many of us. We’ve ignored the issue, been perfectly willing to permit others to fight this battle for us. When a scared young lady found herself in a ‘family way’, some of us looked the other way. Passed judgement, made jokes, failed to support her and her family. Make it go away. Many of us were tacitly OK when a young man got a young lady in that situation, and were reluctantly OK with whatever decision would be made. After all, there is college to think about. He’s too young to have a family. It’s his choice.

Too many of our clergy have been every bit as guilty. Let’s not talk about it. It makes folks feel uncomfortable. We don’t have room to talk because of sins of the Church in the past. It will hurt donations to the parish. We don’t get involved in politics. All of it. The excuses are as numerous as the ones those actually involved make. It’s human nature. We’ll just ignore it and it will right itself.

The past four years we’ve had it pretty well in the Pro Life movement. We’ve had a leader of the country who has supported life, and has done a great deal to support the effort to save the unborn. Some don’t like him because he’s flamboyant, and straight talking, but he’s done a good job for us. Now, I get that, because I’ve spent time in NYC, and that’s the way successful New Yorkers are. It’s a tough environment, and you’ve got know how to use your elbows. But, regardless of the personality, he’s been a vocal supporter of the Pro Life effort, and that is a fact. You are being dishonest with yourself if you don’t acknowledge that.

So, this past election cycle, things changed. Many Catholics voted for the man from Delaware because of his self professed Catholic faith. When I asked one fellow parishioner about this ‘catholic’s stand on life issues, I was told “well, he talks nicer. He wasn’t a NY playboy. And, the whole world can’t be Catholic and believe as we do on life issues”. Another one told me, “He’s the Democrat. They are for the little guy. We learned that as kids”. It struck me then, this is life and death. It’s not immigration, it’s not taxation, it’s way bigger than the size of the government check in the mail box.

Now, his view on life issues was well known before the election. We all knew it. But, folks, including many Catholics, and clergy, supported him anyway. They liked his view on prudential issues, he’s a Catholic. The ‘catholic’ speaker of the House of Representatives, one who also wears her Catholicism on her sleeve will be with him. She tells us, in all seriousness, that she is a strong Catholic because she has five children, and the pro lifers are to shut up. That murdering babies is no big deal.

So, we have a guy who in the first days of his administration, wrapped his Rosary around his hand, and used that same hand to sign the death warrant for many innocent children in the name the US Government. And, on top of that, wants us to pay for it. Then, he goes to Mass at St. Andrews and received the Body and Blood, soul and divinity of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Some clergy are beginning to ‘get it’, it seems. After all the gushing support for this candidate from the USCCB, and the bragging about the second “catholic” President. However, Archbishop Gomez made a strong statement the other day. Archbishop Cordelione of San Francisco is beginning to become outspoken. Last night I watched the opening Mass from the Basilica in Washington, DC, with Archbishop Joseph Nauman celebrating. The Bishop’s homily was very good. He clearly laid out the task in front of us, and clearly laid out how we’ve laid down on the challenge. He had the strength to mention President Biden by name. He was not insulting, or demeaning. But, he was factual and honest. I hope some of our other politically minded clergy are listening.

So, here we are. We’ve kicked this can as far down the road as we can. It’s time to make a choice. It’s time to pick a side. It’s on.