Christopher McCamley over at Catholicus blog has an interesting post on the recent Day for Life, which we marked last Sunday.
Personally I am inclined to agree with his point - that a too broad understanding of the commemoration has been taken, and that this approach has led to a perceived ambiguity on the issue of life and, as been said by some who work in the Pro-Life cause, a falling into the temptation to avoid the contentious matters in favour of a more acceptable canon of concerns.
Last Sunday's theme was about solidarity and hope, and the document released by the Episcopal Conference was not great. Given the threats to life that are growing, we may need to return to Blessed John Paul II's encyclical Evangelium Vitae to recover what the commemoration was supposed to be about - promoting the culture of life in the face of a culture of death, defending the unborn and vulnerable. That can be a broad canvas, but the difficulty that may be arising now is that the canvas has been stretched so far holes are starting to appear.
Can't remember where, but I recall reading letters complaining about the focus given to suicide prevention on Day for Life. I agree that it should be wider than just Ireland; there's no reason we can't have a World Day for Life (like World Youth Day).
ReplyDeleteOr better yet, abolish the Episcopal Conference altogether and let dioceses do their own thing. The Irish Episcopal Conference and its bloated bureacracy has been a cancer on the Irish Church. In a time of austerity it would be well-worth shedding some fat.
ReplyDeletePope Benedict before his election expressed some reservations concerning Episcopal Conferences. I don't think he had a problem with them as such, but the way in which bishops are using them in order to avoid making the hard decisions in their dioceses. I think this happens in Ireland - few of the bishops will speak for themselves, although there are a few exceptions. Perhaps Rome might need to look at the idea of Episcopal Conferences again.
ReplyDeleteSo true. The Day for Life comes round each year. I look and hope that MAYBE THIS YEAR, abortion might be the topic. Nope. So one year it is for abandoned kittens, the next, for elderly people, and then for those who are feeling a little under the weather. Abortion? No siree!
ReplyDeleteThe Bishops' Conference consistently fails to address the greatest evils in our society, and in our Church. Practising Catholics expect nothing from them anymore. It was as well they ignored the Day for Life for all they have done to tackle the pervasive contempt for life in Ireland, including among many baptised. Contraception, abortion, ivf, suicide and euthanasia are allowed to engulf us, without hindrance. Lynda
ReplyDeleteWithout the strength provided by faith, there is no conviction, and a person will be overcome with fear and dread and will not act in the service of God.
ReplyDelete