Thursday, March 28, AD 2024 11:36am

Sister Jane Tells It Like It Is

Sister Jane Dominic Laurel

In a testament to just how bad so much of what passes for Catholic education is today, note this reaction to Sister Jane Dominic Laurel preaching basic Catholic doctrine:

Charlotte Catholic High School has invited parents to a meeting Wednesday night to air concerns many of them – and their kids – had about a recent speaker’s comments about homosexuality, divorce and single parents.

Sister Jane Dominic Laurel, a Dominican nun based in Nashville, Tenn., addressed a student assembly on March 21. Days later, some students launched an online petition that called her comments “offensive and unnecessarily derogatory.”

A record of the comments  was not available. But students attending told their parents she criticized gays and lesbians and made inflammatory remarks about single and divorced parents.

The petition, which has drawn more than 2,000 supporters, listed 10 objections to her remarks, including this: “We resent the fact that a schoolwide assembly became a stage to blast the issue of homosexuality after Pope Francis said in an interview this past fall that ‘we can not insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods.’ We are angry that someone decided they knew better than our Holy Father and invited (this) speaker.”

Some students told their parents that a few teachers left the assembly in tears.

In addition, parents called for a letter-writing campaign, sending out emails that listed the addresses of the Diocese of Charlotte, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, even the pope in the Vatican.

Shelley Earnhardt, who is divorced and who sent one of the emails, wrote that “in my home, there was outrage, embarrassment, sadness, disbelief, and further reason for my 16-year-old to move as far away from her religion as possible and as soon as she can.”

Other parents faulted the school for not notifying them about the sensitive nature of Laurel’s planned remarks. “It’s too big of a topic for parents to be surprised,” said Casey Corser.

Diocese spokesman David Hains acknowledged parents were not told ahead of time that Laurel would speak. But he said she has spoken frequently in the diocese and has a doctoral degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

“We have seen the petitions, and we have gotten the emails,” Hains said. “And we really hope to be able to answer their questions and address their concerns” at the meeting, which he said will be closed to the media.

The Rev. Tim Reid, pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church, sent an email lauding the nun, saying “she represented well the Catholic positions on marriage, sex, same-sex attraction and proper gender roles … The Church has already lost too many generations of Catholic schools students to … a very muddled and watered-down faith.”

Go here to read the rest.  (The comments illustrate the de facto schism that exists within the Church.)  Quite a few people who call themselves Catholic in this country really aren’t in any meaningful way.  They do not believe what the Church teaches and are morally often very far from the Church indeed.  Someone who is a bad Catholic, and understands that fact, and still loves what the Church teaches even if they do not live by it, is one thing.  People who claim to be Catholic but who despise Church teaching are another.  Those who cannot bear to hear Catholic truth taught really are wasting their time hanging around Catholic schools and churches.  They are a menace to believing Catholics who long for the pure, unvarnished Faith and are not given it due to too many priests lacking the intestinal fortitude of Sister Jane.  The complaining students and their parents should be told that if they are not actual Catholics they need to get out of the school and stop attempting to hinder real Catholics from hearing the Faith.  Bravo Sister Jane!

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Foxfier
Admin
Friday, March 28, AD 2014 4:19pm

Wait…. “Nun does talk on binding Catholic teaching in Catholic school; students and teachers outraged”?

Steve Phoenix
Steve Phoenix
Friday, March 28, AD 2014 5:06pm

Well, first of all, she clearly looks to me very threatening and dangerous. Just look at her. 🙂

Second, this part of the school petition smells of other forces at work:
“We resent the fact that a schoolwide assembly became a stage to blast the issue of homosexuality after Pope Francis said in an interview this past fall that ‘we can not insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods.’ We are angry that someone decided they knew better than our Holy Father and invited (this) speaker.” I don’t think high school students alone crafted this petition. Some organization is involved.

Now, thirdly: Let’s go macro:
Going back to this summer, when the present pontiff announced his motto as the “Who-am-I-to-judge?-Pope on the flight back from Buenos Aires Youth Day in summer 2013, as well as since then, it has been obvious that we are on the road to schism, persecution, and profound conflict in the Church. A pope who uses unparalleled immoderate language at best, poisonously insulting at worst (“this priest is an unfruitful bachelor”; this religious sister is a “spinster” (Sept 30 America publication of prior interview); or, smearing traditional Catholics as “self-absorbed neo-pelagians”,; or, saying “But I have met many Marxists in my life who are good people,”etc) –excuse my ‘dangerous’ impertinacity—is not the brightest pontiff in memory and is energizing enemies of the Church—for example, in this case, as they attack Sr Jane. Again, I cite PF’s failure to complete his Ph.D (only reported in German language news sources, such as Die Tauber Zeitung, by the way), and we can conclude as to why, just by reading his wandering, undisciplined thinking proces, for example, in Evan. Gaudium. I cite his weakness as leader, showing a clear insecurity in deferring to Kasper and Muller to define where the Church will go and what it will believe, and permitting confusion to brew like a hurricane.
I have warned other Catholics, and they, in turn have—like a tuning fork on the same wavelength—warned me: it is time to take defensive measures, whether by withdrawing more and more from associations with parishes or dioceses, or by getting new employment in secular organizations, certainly by concealing one’s traditional Catholic beliefs, and/or also by retreating from associations with the general Novus Ordo world. In San Francisco area Catholic schools, it is now unacceptable to criticize the pan-sexual lifestyle (see: http://cal-catholic.com/wordpress/2014/03/26/gay-totalitarianism-at-schools-of-the-sacred-heart-san-francisco/
A certain South Bay bishop has defended Dr. Lisa Fullam at Santa Clara University for her pan-sexual-ethic advocacy as “Pope Francis’ encouragement for open and free theological discussion…of our different perceptions of the one truth.” It is different if you dont have a family to protect, but if you do, you must measure the impact that one’s faith position will have on them. And act accordingly. Soon it will be too dangerous to post. This will have to be one of the last.

Paul W Primavera
Friday, March 28, AD 2014 5:43pm

I have met Father Tim Reid who lauded Sister Jane Dominic Laurel. I live in Charlotte. I have this to say to all those students and parents who do not like what she said: she is right and you are wrong. Homosexual behavior is sin and will send the perpetrator to hell. Adultery and fornication are sin and will send the perpetrator to hell. Do you want your children to go to hell? Sister Jane doesn’t and she therefore demonstrates greater love than you apparently do. If you don’t like that and want to continue in rebellion, then why don’t you go all the way and join the Episcopalian heretics. Think not for one moment St Paul or St John would tolerate your sickening and putrid liberal progressivism.

exNOAAman
exNOAAman
Friday, March 28, AD 2014 6:07pm

The Church has already lost too many generations of Catholic schools students to … a very muddled and watered-down faith.
Good take-away quote, by Fr. Reid.

CatholicsRock!
CatholicsRock!
Friday, March 28, AD 2014 6:12pm

I would be interested to know the sum of the good works performed by the students at Charlotte Catholic, and particularly the sum of the good works performed by the students and parents who signed the petition criticizing a woman who has devoted her entire life to learning and sharing the Catholic message.

What a bunch of bullies! I hope they have A LOT of good works in the ledger.

Also, their rugby team sucks. Xavier will beat the hell out of them.

Paul W Primavera
Friday, March 28, AD 2014 6:33pm

I just sent this email to St Ann’s:

Dear Father Tim Reid,

I saw this article about liberal progressives whining over Sister Jane Dominic Laurel telling the truth regarding sodomy, adultery and fornication.

https://the-american-catholic.com/2014/03/28/sister-jane-tells-it-like-it-is/

I assure you of my support and my prayers. Keep preaching the truth and tell Sister Jane to pay no heed to the critics of what she rightly said. She is a Deborah, a Judith, an Esther, and I say bravo.

Deus te et Sororem Ianam in omnibus vestris operibus benedicat. Vester amicus in caritate Christi.

Paul Primavera

Penguins Fan
Penguins Fan
Friday, March 28, AD 2014 7:47pm

I never heard any nuns talk like Sister Jane and Mother Angelica. I wish I did.

Michael Paterson-Seymour
Michael Paterson-Seymour
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 4:15am

“A record of the comments was not available…”
One would think that a frequent speaker (and a Doctor of Divinity) intending to deliver a controversial address would have taken the precaution of recording it or of reading it from a prepared script.
I find myself recalling more and more often Maurice Blondel’s remark, more than a century ago now, “With every day that passes, the conflict between tendencies that set Catholic against Catholic in every order–social, political, philosophical–is revealed as sharper and more general. One could almost say that there are now two quite incompatible “Catholic mentalities,” particularly in France. And that is manifestly abnormal, since there cannot be two Catholicisms.”
Responding to a national survey in 1907, Blondel articulated his sense of the “present crisis”: “[U]nprecedented perhaps in depth and extent–for it is at the same time scientific, metaphysical, moral, social and political–[the crisis] is not a “dissolution” [for the spirit of faith does not die], nor even an “evolution” [for the spirit of faith does not change], it is a purification of the religious sense, and an integration of Catholic truth”
These remarks were written just before the Catholic world was riven apart by Lamentabili and Pascendi on the 3 July and 8 September of that year; divisions that were only partly healed by the Second Vatican Council, despite the great work during the fifty years that preceded it of theologians like the Dominicans, Chenu and Congar and the Jesuits, Lubac, Daniélou and Maréchal and lay philosophers like Blondel himself and Maritain.

Mary De Voe
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 4:26am

Steve Phoenix: “Well, first of all, she clearly looks to me very threatening and dangerous. Just look at her. :)”
.
Sister Jane Dominic Laurel: a joy to share.
.
“We resent the fact that a schoolwide assembly became a stage to blast the issue of homosexuality after Pope Francis said in an interview this past fall that ‘we can not insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods.’ We are angry that someone decided they knew better than our Holy Father and invited (this) speaker.” I don’t think high school students alone crafted this petition. Some organization is involved.”
.
Hatred of God is the “other issues” Pope Francis addressed in his speech. Who can love his neighbor if he hates God? God, WHO is love.
.
The issue is not “homosexuality”. The issue is the free will act of sodomy, read “so dumb ye”, the practice, the violation of the created virgin, hatred of God. Desecrating the human being in existence by separating his body from his immortal soul is a disgrace, a sin and human sacrifice, more hatred of God. Contraception is separating God from His married love for mankind and is hatred of God.
.
This group of malcontents has nothing but hatred of God venom to spew. What are they doing in a Catholic school besides trying to subvert the TRUTH? Get them the hell out.
.
Thank you. Paul W. Primavera, Your letter is clear and effective. Glad that you sent it.

Michael Paterson-Seymour
Michael Paterson-Seymour
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 5:39am

Donald R McClary wrote,”Giving an orthodox talk on Catholic doctrine to high school kids is now controversial? How bizarre the world has become.”

I find it hard to believe that the response was entirely unexpected, for the reasons I went on to develop.

Given the situation in which we find ourselves, what is the best way to address it? At the time of the Modernist crisis, Abbé Henri Brémond used to recommend only two books to the many would-be converts who came to him seeking instruction – the Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis and Introduction à la vie devote of St François de Sales. He often quoted Pascal’s “Voilà ce que c’est que la foi parfaite, Dieu sensible au cœur » [This, then, is perfect faith: God felt in the heart.] The convert, said Brémond, does not need book-learning, but the contact and certainty that comes through prayer.

Mary De Voe
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 5:47am

– the Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis and Introduction à la vie devote of St François de Sales.” Perfect.

Magdalene
Magdalene
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 5:48am

I think it is in Oregon where a male vice-principal at a ‘catholic’ high school ‘married’ a man and was dismissed from his position for doing so and the young people were outraged. Catholic schools for decades have not been a place –in a general sense–for our youth to learn or remain Catholics. Thanks be to God, I had to remove my son from the ‘catholic’ school due to an abusive situation. My children, now in their 20s, are practicing Catholics but we know of only perhaps one other person from the class that is. They have been sold the secular mindset. The off the cuff remarks from this Holy Father only convince them of the correctness of their immoral thinking.

Mary De Voe
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 5:52am

Donald R. McClarey: “the fear to preach the Truth for fear of offending some precious snowflake” –
.
that word is snowfakes

Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 6:53am

This article reminded me of the following quote.
In 1931, Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen wrote the following essay:

“America, it is said, is suffering from intolerance-it is not. It is suffering from tolerance. Tolerance of right and wrong, truth and error, virtue and evil, Christ and chaos. Our country is not nearly so overrun with the bigoted as it is overrun with the broadminded.”

“Tolerance is an attitude of reasoned patience toward evil … a forbearance that restrains us from showing anger or inflicting punishment. Tolerance applies only to persons … never to truth. Tolerance applies to the erring, intolerance to the error … Architects are as intolerant about sand as foundations for skyscrapers as doctors are intolerant about germs in the laboratory.

Tolerance does not apply to truth or principles. About these things we must be intolerant, and for this kind of intolerance, so much needed to rouse us from sentimental gush, I make a plea. Intolerance of this kind is the foundation of all stability.”

Bravo to Sister Jane and all those who teach the Faith without reservation. Souls are at stake.

Trebuchet
Trebuchet
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 8:09am

Well, it looks like our education system under the guidance of the NEA has accomplished one of it’s goals; to turn the children of this country into good little Brown Shirts. You think this is bad wait until they ram through Common Core.

TomD
TomD
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 8:55am

Steve Phoenix wrote: “I don’t think high school students alone crafted this petition. Some organization is involved.” It would not be surprising if this were true. Not one bit.

I do have to disagree with Steve’s “macro view” prescription. Yes, there may be times when doctrinal forthrightness may be counterproductive. I think we all to some degree pick and choose our battles now. However, a complete disengagement of orthodox Christianity from the mainstream culture is certainly wrong. Be careful of despair.

Botolph
Botolph
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 9:25am

Thank God for Sister Jane. I assume the assembly was planned and all, students and parents knew ahead of time what the topic was. However, that being said, a Catholic High School teaching Catholic doctrine is well within its identity and mission-did students and parents sign up for simply a better education? [this is a rhetorical and tongue in cheek question. The answer is obvious]

I remember seeing a web site for a local Parochial school in which a parent complained that the education was great but there was just too much emphasis on Jesus. More of it.

To your point Donald it is true there are many many Catholics who [and I am sure this would be a surprise to them] are not only not in full communion with the Catholic Church [teaching, sacraments and governance] but in all but factual schism. The sad thing however it is not just a phenomenon of so called ‘progressive Catholics’. Very very sad indeed

Sydney O. Fernandes
Sydney O. Fernandes
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 9:30am

How perverse it is that a straight-forward presentation of Moral Truths by a straight-forward Catholic nun discharging her forsworn promise to spread the Good News evokes such bad responses from the “people of God”! This is a clear sign that indeed the devil has settled himself quite well with this people: even the Pope himself can be his spokesman (according to the protesting ones); and it is but a sign that guilty consciences are bursting at the seam to protest too much. God bless Sr. Jane and her work. St. Michael defend her in the day of battle. Amen.

Mary Baker
Mary Baker
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 9:37am

I also sent an email to Fr. Reid expressing my support and prayers. I think everyone should do this. He needs it.

Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 9:57am

A few years ago, I was asked to conduct 35 two-hour presentations on basic Catholic theology at a California parish. At the end of the second session, the last question of the evening was about Church teaching on contraception. I believed the class of 115 were not ready to hear the answer and had hoped the question would not come up until I had time to build a proper foundation. The class agreed to extend the program 30 minutes to hear what I had to say on the subject. When I completed my explanation, I said to myself, “Half these people will not come back.” The following session had 65 attendees. I was disheartened. At the end of that evening’s class a woman came to me and said that she had been scheduled for a tubal ligation three days after the previous class. She and her husband had five sons and thought they had given God opportunity enough to provide them with a little girl. She told me that they had discussed the issue till 2 A.M. She happily told me that she had cancelled the appointment and would be open to life. Another woman explained that her husband had cancelled a scheduled vasectomy. A year later the husband proudly showed off his newborn son.
While at the time, I reluctantly explained Church teaching, I subsequently realized the Holy Spirit had been in charge all along.
We should always be ready to share the Faith, however, it should be done with compassion and tact.

exNOAAman
exNOAAman
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 11:05am

WRT some requests above; the good sister’s talks appear to be here:

http://www.newmanconnection.com/institute/courses/rich-gift-of-love/the-rich-gift-of-love-part-i

Philip
Philip
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 11:15am

Victor-
Selfishness on the part of the dissidents.

Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen wrapped up one of his “Life is Worth Living” sermons with this; ” Sometimes a cloud can hide a star. And sometimes our selfishness can hide God. Despite the clouds and despite our selfishness, the star still shines and God still loves.”

That beautiful Sister is shining brightly. A living testimony that Truth can never be snuffed out. It will light this darkened world as long as the Holy Spirit still finds Chambers within men to dwell.

men / women 🙂

kim McKenzie
kim McKenzie
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 5:19pm

http://www.ratemyteachers.com/charlotte-catholic-high-school/23887-s/2

Notice the grades given to the religion instructors at the schools

” Rate my teacher” site.

It explains the disgusting reaction from the students and parents.

Justme
Justme
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 5:56pm

Can anyone say Vatican II? Sister Jane is absolutely right. She has courage and grace.
Can any of those people say where she was wrong on Catholic teaching? It has only
been since Vatican II that the teaches of the church has deteriorated. As St Thomas More said, if you gain the world and loose your soul, what have you gained? God Bless Sister Jane!

Ruben Aguilar
Ruben Aguilar
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 6:34pm

In today’s world, an unborn baby is not safe in his mothers womb it should not surprise us that Lay and Religous Catholics are not safe in Catholic Churches, Catholic Schools etc. Very Sad that some can be so far off the mark.

Ruben Aguilar
Ruben Aguilar
Saturday, March 29, AD 2014 6:49pm

Let me further clarify, by safe i mean more along the lines of not being verbally attacked for what we believe and feeling like strangers in our Holy Mother Church’s womb.

Carol LaSalle
Carol LaSalle
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 12:23am

This article points yet again to how much work we have to Evangelize our own who think they are Catholics. Two or more decades of “it’s all about me and what I want” Catholics actually do not know what our Church teaches. How very sad and especially if they are raising children.

I bet the parents wouldn’t have reacted if one of the LCWR who identifies as a catholic sister spoke. Of course, she wouldn’t be promoting Church teachings.

Michael Paterson-Seymour
Michael Paterson-Seymour
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 5:39am

Justme wrote, “It has only been since Vatican II that the teaches [sic] of the church has deteriorated.”
That is not my own experience. The teaching at my Catholic boarding school in the ‘50s and early ‘60s exactly mirrored the Anglican schools described by Mgr Ronald Knox – “I think, then, it should be said at the outset that public schools are trying to teach the sons of gentlemen a religion in which their mothers believe, and their fathers would like to: a religion without ” enthusiasm ” in the old sense, reserved in its self-expression, calculated to reinforce morality, chivalry, and the sense of truth, providing comfort in times of distress and a glow of contentment in declining years; supernatural in its nominal doctrines, yet on the whole rationalistic in its mode of approaching God: tolerant of other people’s tenets, yet sincere about its own, regular in church-going, generous to charities, ready to put up with the defects of the local clergyman. This religion the schoolmaster is under contract to teach; it is left to him, if he be a sincere Christian, to attempt the grafting onto this stock of supernatural graces which it does not naturally develop: self-sacrifice, lively devotion, worthy reception of the Communion, and so on . That is the proposition.”

When, at about the age of 14, I encountered Olier’s Journée chrétienne, “It is necessary for the soul to be in fear and distrust of self; … It should make its pleasure and joy depend on sacrificing to Jesus all joy and pleasure which it may have apart from Him. And when taking part in those things in which by Providence it is obliged to be occupied, such as eating, drinking, and conversation with creatures, it must be sparing in all, must discard what is superfluous, and must renounce, in the use of them, the joy and pleasure to be found therein, uniting and giving itself to Jesus as often as it feels itself tempted to enjoy something apart from Him and not Himself,” it seemed to me almost a different religion.

Steven P. Cornett
Steven P. Cornett
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 6:04am

The situation is much like that of the height of the Arian heresy, which much of the Church followed in the Fourth Century. It got to such a point, with even the Emperor supporting the position, that St. Athanaisus was considered the Empire’s most wanted criminal for clearly teaching the Catholic Faith.

Now, it seems, the only thing our “tolerant” society will not tolerate is the truth plainly discussed and forthrightly defended. Would that we had more like Sister Jane and St. Athanasisus.

Art Deco
Art Deco
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 6:17am

Well, it looks like our education system under the guidance of the NEA has accomplished one of it’s goals; to turn the children of this country into good little Brown Shirts. You think this is bad wait until they ram through Common Core.

I will offer you an alternative hypothesis. One states a proposition with implications which in turn influence or govern one’s behavior. You have strata of human behavior, with some dispositions and actions deemed better than others. You also have prevalent attitudes and conventions and social intercourse in light of those. When the proposition conflicts with what is fashionable or conventional or in conflict with commodious living, crisis ensues in the mind of the person contemplating these alternative, and the expression of that crisis is emotion: a poorly reasoned indignation.

It does not have much to do with the NEA. I could have at one time introduced you to a Seven Sisters graduate who was educated in fine urban public schools in the 1940s ‘ere the NEA ever functioned as a union and ‘ere there was serious conflict over school curricula. Her mind worked just this way.

Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 7:00am

Perhaps it is because I have reached the winter of my life that I have been preoccupied with my desire for eternal life. Not a day goes by when I do not review my conduct in light of the Gospel, and do my utmost to remain in a state of grace. In doing so, have an assurance of salvation.
It seems to me that those who dissent from Catholic moral teaching must live in a continual state of flux; cognitive dissidence, if you prefer.
One the one hand, they know, down deep, that the teaching of Jesus as promulgated by the Catholic Church is certainly correct. On the other hand, their moral compass has been shaped by the satanic view of the world and believe they can always confess – tomorrow.
I am certain most of you will agree that our society is preoccupied with sex and self pleasure. Sexual intercourse is meant to be a sacred act, simply because God is involved. When God infuses the soul, a new human being comes into existence. When artificial contraception takes place, the act becomes profane, selfish, and no different than what takes place in a barnyard.
I have read estimates that as many as 95% of fertile Catholics contracept in one way or another. In doing so, they place their salvation in serious jeopardy.
We were created to live a holy life, rather than being slaves to sin. Being in submission to the moral teachings of the Church provides the “peace that passes all understanding.”

Foxfier
Admin
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 9:02am

I have read estimates that as many as 95% of fertile Catholics contracept in one way or another. In doing so, they place their salvation in serious jeopardy.

I remember reading the source for that at one point– they include all forms of the rhythm method (and thus NFP) in the estimate, plus I think things like hysterectomies that can be from actual medical care, not for sterilization. (Sadly, some religious even misrepresent vasectomies.) They also had to include baptized-never-practiced Catholics and nominal Catholics.

It’s an attempt to manufacture an overwhelming force. Don’t stop fighting it, but recognize that it is NOT what they try to promote.

fRED
fRED
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 10:18am

This is such a depressing report: a RC high school that doesn’t know or believe their own values. Sigh.

I felt sick after trying to read the comments in response to the original article in the Charlotte paper. Comments from atheists and anti-RCs were not surprising and, thus, “easy” to stomach. What nauseated me were the comments from RCs, especially parents and former teachers. They made Judas appear saintly.

I found a tonic to this situation in a post by Msgr Charles Pope: http://blog.adw.org/2014/03/many-who-seek-to-reform-the-church-fundamentally-misuderstand-her-mission-and-purpose-a-response-to-a-recent-church-critic/

The local bishop would be wise to close this school and start over with new staff, administration. Or if that is not within his power, he should officially and disassociate the diocese from the school. This school apparently has experienced a major failure. In such a catastrophe, it is often considered prudent to pause and take stock to discover the cause of the failure and take appropriate action in order to prevent further occurrences or repeat disasters.

Some may consider such action to be overly severe. However, we need strong, courageous RC leaders who are willing to BOLDLY speak out for the faith. Continued weak response by bishops and priests and nuns will only reinforce the misguided.

Some may take refuge in that a dialogue session is scheduled for parents. While this is certainly an opportunity to reinforce RC teaching, it likely will be met with a similar response to Sr. Jane’s presentation.

Botolph
Botolph
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 10:20am

Foxfier,

While I am sure you did not intend to do so you included all forms of rhythm and NFP in the numbers of contraceptive Catholics. The rhythm method was approved by Pope Pius XI in
1931 in Casti Connubii, and while NFP had not been completely discovered in 1968, Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae, in continuity with Pope Pius XI showed that ‘natural’ forms of the regulation of birth were not contrary to natural law.

I would not argue that a selfish intent can indeed motivate those who use natural methods but no one should impugn those who with good intention seek to preserve the unitive and creative element of conjugal charity in the spacing of children.

Lazarus Arise
Lazarus Arise
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 10:30am

Keep up the great work Sister Jane! Fight the Good Fight!

Does anyone know how I can contact this beautiful nun so I can tell her how appreciative I am of her fearless efforts?

Food for thought:

“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” – C.S.Lewis

Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 11:05am

Humanae Vitae and Artificial Contraception

There has always been a long-standing general Christian prohibition on artificial contraception and abortion, with such Church Fathers as Clement of Alexandria and Saint Augustine condemning the practices. It was not until the 1930 Lambeth Conference that the Anglican Communion changed its long-standing position by allowing for contraception in limited circumstances. All other mainline Protestant denominations have since removed prohibitions against artificial contraception.
In a partial reaction, Pope Pius XI wrote the encyclical Casti connubii (On Christian Marriage) in 1930, reaffirming the Catholic Church’s belief in various traditional Christian teachings on marriage and sexuality, including the prohibition of artificial birth control even within marriage.
Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical, Humanae Vitae concerning the transmission of human life, in which the longstanding teaching of the Church which proscribes the use of artificial contraception was reaffirmed. Promulgated on July 25, 1968, Humanae Vitae re-affirmed the traditional teaching of the Roman Catholic Church regarding abortion, contraception, and other issues pertaining to human life.
This encyclical is the probably the most talked about of any papal pronouncement. Paradoxically, few Catholics have actually read it, and although the encyclical is not lengthy, nor difficult to read or understand, even fewer have studied it. Yet from the day it appeared it provoked reactions and debate of historic proportions. The work is divided into three chapters. Chapter I, New Aspects of the Question and the Competence of the Magisterium; Chapter II – Doctrinal Questions; and Chapter III, Pastoral Directives.
In summary: The encyclical opens with an assertion of the competency of the Magisterium of the Church to decide questions of morality. It then goes on to observe that circumstances often dictate that married couples should limit the number of children, and that the sexual act between husband and wife is still worthy even if it can be foreseen not to result in procreation. Nevertheless, it is held that the sexual act must “retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of human life”, and the “direct interruption of the generative process already begun” is unlawful.
Abortion, even for therapeutic reasons, is absolutely forbidden, as is sterilization, even if temporary. Similarly, every action specifically intended to prevent procreation is forbidden. This includes both chemical and barrier methods of contraception. All these are held to directly contradict the “moral order which was established by God”.
Therapeutic means which induce infertility are allowed (e.g., hysterectomy), if they are not specifically intended to cause infertility (e.g., the uterus is cancerous, so the preservation of life is intended). Natural family planning methods (abstaining from intercourse during certain parts of the woman’s cycle) are allowed, since they take advantage of “a faculty provided by nature.”
The acceptance of artificial methods of birth control is then claimed to result in several negative consequences, among them a “general lowering of moral standards” resulting from sex without consequences, and the danger that men may reduce women “to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of [their] own desires”.
The encyclical acknowledges that “perhaps not everyone will easily accept this particular teaching”, but points out that the Roman Catholic Church cannot “declare lawful what is in fact unlawful”.
“The teaching of the Church on the regulation of birth, which promulgates the divine law, will easily appear to many to be difficult or even impossible of actuation. And indeed, like all great beneficent realities, it demands serious engagement and much effort, individual, family and social effort. More than that, it would not be practicable without the help of God, who upholds and strengthens the good will of men. Yet, to anyone who reflects well, it cannot but be clear that such efforts ennoble man and are beneficial to the human community” (HV 20).
The encyclical closes with an appeal to public authorities to oppose laws which undermine the natural moral law, an appeal to scientists to further study effective methods of natural birth control and appeals to doctors, nurses and priests to promote the method.
Mainly because of its prohibition of all forms of artificial contraception, the encyclical has been controversial.

Foxfier
Admin
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 12:47pm

Botolph-
if you read again, you’ll notice I was pointing out that the folks trying to pull an “everybody does it” argument had to include “not having sex” in with “break your reproductive system and/or mutual masturbation* to avoid pregnancy” methods.
I very much dislike such equivocation, even if technically “contraception” might be hammered so that avoiding sex when you know you are likely to become pregnant would be included.
.
* various barrier methods. Makes sense if you think of the mechanics involved.

Foxfier
Admin
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 12:49pm

Incidentally, NFP is not just a way to avoid pregnancy– it’s also good for getting pregnant, and in theory you could use it to slightly increase the chance of having a boy or a girl. I was able to help a friend conceive her first child with some of the more basic things.

Really wish that they’d covered some of the stuff in “health class”– understanding one’s own body is rather important.

Botolph
Botolph
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 12:53pm

Foxfier,

My apologies. Need to adjust my glasses better. Thanks for receiving my comment in the spirit I meant t. I was afraid people reading would think rhythm and NFP were forms of contraception which, of course, they are not. Thanks again.

trackback
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 3:55pm

[…] That’s more like it. […]

fRED
fRED
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 5:29pm

While the rhythm method and NFP may not technically be contraception, they are typically presented as “Catholic Birth Control.” Thus, promotion of NFP methods lead too many to assume that since NFP is okay then it is ok to use artificial BC because it is being used for the same end as (typically) NFP. After decades of promoting NFP to engaged couples, it is no wonder why so many dismiss RC morals and values as mere technicalities that are trumped by personal choice. Unfortunately, despite good intentions, many parishes have inadvertently “caused their brother to stumble” [Rom 14:21] by pushing Catholic Birth Control.

Foxfier
Admin
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 5:50pm

Botolph-
Blame it on getting so mad your eyes cross; heaven knows it has that effect on me at times.
On the upside, if they thought they were right, they wouldn’t cheat!

I’d kind of like to see these parishes that push it… up until recently, I never even heard opposition to abortion at Mass.

Foxfier
Admin
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 5:56pm

Rather fittingly, this was in my email just now:
http://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/do-atheists-have-a-lower-divorce-rate-than-christians-2/

Study controlled for other factors like age when first married, etc, and found that while “Christians” aren’t protected from divorce, active Christians are. (They used weekly attendance.)

That makes sense, since the majority of the American population is Christian, so unless you’ve got a group of marry-and-divorce-daily non-Christians, the average is going to track.
Unfortunately, we also have a large population of “Uh… Christian” whose faith isn’t fed and cared for, it’s more of a cultural background.

Foxfier
Admin
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 5:57pm

(Note: the “Uh… Christian” is not a “I’m dumb” type “uh,” it’s an “I’m thinking about it, give me a moment…guess I’d say I’m Christian” type answer. This is the internet, figured I’d mention that.)

Victor R. Claveau, MJ
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 6:36pm

red,
NFP is not unqualifiedly good and can be used wrongly. The reason for this is subtle and needs to be stated carefully, because there is a popular, although erroneous, belief among some Catholic couples that NFP is “second best,” and that if a couple is seriously Catholic, they will not self-consciously plan the children they conceive, but simply “let God send them.” I do not mean to offend anyone’s practices, but this “come what may” attitude is found nowhere in Catholic teaching on procreation in the last 150 years. There is no decision more serious to a Catholic couple than whether or not to participate with God in bringing a new human person into existence. The more serious a decision, the more it is due prayer, discussion and discernment. God has a plan for every married couple; that the plan includes how many children they should have; and therefore if a couple is concerned about doing Jesus’ will, they should try to discover whether Jesus wishes them to have more children. They should have all the children that Jesus wants them to have, no less, and no more. Therefore, whenever they are conscious that they might become pregnant, they should discuss and pray over the question: “Does Jesus want us to have another child?” The idea that this question is intrinsically tainted with selfish motives is rigoristic and should be rejected. Every potentially fertile couple, as well as infertile couples capable of adopting, has the responsibility to ask it.

Mary De Voe
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 6:47pm

Victor R. Claveau, MJ: “and no different than what takes place in a barnyard.”
.
Sorry, barnyard animals, all animals are innocent and plot not to avoid the offspring. It is in plotting to avoid the offspring that the sin of selfishness occurs. Natural Family Planning, if accomplished with the intent to accept joyfully any children who beget, is not only within God’s design but with God’s blessing. Children are an expression of God’s glory. The sex act, devoid of charity, is a sin and a lie against the vows taken at Matrimony, the vow “til death do us part.”
.
Every heresy is a half-truth. the untrue half accepted as truth, is a lie, a lie that is used against the truth. Every human soul has come into the world because of procreation and through procreation.

Mary De Voe
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 7:00pm

Victor R. Claveau, MJ: fRED means “peace”. thought I would mention.

Mary De Voe
Sunday, March 30, AD 2014 7:02pm

Would Sister Jane become the next principal of the school?

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