From Our Pastor: Responding to an Open Letter
In the first reading, God reminds us that He is the Lord of all nations and that He works through people in ways we may not always understand. In the Gospel, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus responds, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” These words remind us that while we have responsibilities to our country and our community, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. We are made in His image, and our lives belong to Him. The question for us is not simply what we owe in taxes or civic duties, but what we owe God in our daily lives. Do we give Him our time, our hearts, and our willingness to serve others? Let us remember that the greatest gift we can offer the Lord is not something we possess, but the gift of ourselves.
Some of you may have read the “Open Letter” in support of “Reproductive Freedom,” which was recently published online in Muddy River News. The letter addressed the upcoming Amendment to the Missouri State Constitution, and for that reason, it might seem odd for me to address the letter (our parish is clearly not in Missouri). Muddy River News is read throughout the Tri-State area – and by many of you, and for that reason, as your pastor, there are a few issues brought up by the letter that I need to address.
“Catholics for Choice,” in spite of its name, is not a Catholic organization. “Catholics for Choice” has been repeatedly condemned over multiple decades by the leadership of the US Bishops Conference. Bishop Joseph Fiorenza gave a particularly scorching condemnation back in May 2000 when he said:
“For a number of years, a group calling itself Catholics for a Free Choice (CFFC) has been publicly supporting abortion while claiming it speaks as an authentic Catholic voice. That claim is false. In fact, the group’s activity is directed to rejection and distortion of Catholic teaching about the respect and protection due to defenseless unborn human life.” On a number of occasions, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) has stated publicly that CFFC is not a Catholic organization, does not speak for the Catholic Church, and in fact promotes positions contrary to the teaching of the Church as articulated by the Holy See and the NCCB.”
Further, in spite of her title, “Rev. Maggie Gann” holds no religious authority within the Catholic Church. The ecclesial community she serves – the Ecumenical Catholic Community – functions outside the boundaries of the Catholic Church and holds beliefs contrary to the Catholic Church founded by Christ Himself.
In addition, contrary to Gann’s claims, pro-choice Catholicism is NOT rooted in Catholic theology. As our Bishop would point out, according to canon law, Catholics who directly procure an abortion and their accomplices are automatically excommunicated (canons 1397 and 1329). Moreover, those who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin by voting for abortion rights are prohibited from receiving Holy Communion (canon 915) until they repent and confess their sins. Gann leans on the “primacy of conscience” to make her claims, but she conveniently ignores the Church’s teaching on the importance of the formation of conscience (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 1783-1785).
The power of this open letter is the confusion that it sows. If you have read the letter, I hope that my words have helped to bring clarity. If you haven’t read the letter, spend your time reading something else. Her open letter simply advances the agenda of the father of lies. Please pray for the conversion of their heart.
Father Arisman