Guidelines on Women's Health Issued by Michael Sean Winters
My comments: The reason that the Bishops should have played nicer is to be able to count on the support of liberal Catholics when such issues as this come up. Not sure I feel like backing their play on Ella, although I probably will. However, they are simply wrong on sterilization and contraception - since these work before gastrulation and cannot be considered equivalent to abortion (unlike Ella).
The Church's stance on contraception works best when it sticks to economic empowerment issues for the poor, who should not have to resort to birth control to secure their economic well being. It does not do so well when it takes a stand against contraception that is medically indicated because the woman should not get pregnant. Their suggested practice of natural family planning lessens the power of its economic message and is inadequate to the health needs of women whose lives may be in jeapordy if they become pregnant.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Chaput: The Problem With Culture Warrior Bishops
Chaput: The Problem With Culture Warrior Bishops by Michael Sean Winters
My response: I suspect Cardinals Law and Burke had a say in this, yet Chaput may well overcome the culture of clericalism left by Rigali and bring reform. How he deals with Bob Casey will be telling on the political front. Unless he understands that Casey has the upper hand in this, he will do damage to himself and wreck any bipartisanship in the pro-life movement.
My response: I suspect Cardinals Law and Burke had a say in this, yet Chaput may well overcome the culture of clericalism left by Rigali and bring reform. How he deals with Bob Casey will be telling on the political front. Unless he understands that Casey has the upper hand in this, he will do damage to himself and wreck any bipartisanship in the pro-life movement.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Mary and Jesus as mother and son
Mary and Jesus as mother and son by Thomas C. Fox
My reaction: This is the most important relationship in scripture, because unless you understand it, you cannot understand why Jesus finally called out in despair on the Cross.
While it is fashionable to believe that the nativity stories are an add-on, I believe they are essential - since they locate Jesus' knowledge of himself in His mother's telling of them and in His reading of the scripture, rather than in some proto-gnostic self-awareness. When He entrusted her to John's care, He rejected both this origin belief and His mission. He did not give John instructions to baptize all nations or even await the Resurrection. He essentially told those He loved that He was a he - dead man hanging.
Understand this and you understand all of Christianity, including that the purpose of morality is not to placate God, but to live well on Earth. This view is mutually exclusive from the view that God is angry and his anger must be satisfied by blood. Instead, the blood is to be shared as Jesus shared our despair (I thirst).
My reaction: This is the most important relationship in scripture, because unless you understand it, you cannot understand why Jesus finally called out in despair on the Cross.
While it is fashionable to believe that the nativity stories are an add-on, I believe they are essential - since they locate Jesus' knowledge of himself in His mother's telling of them and in His reading of the scripture, rather than in some proto-gnostic self-awareness. When He entrusted her to John's care, He rejected both this origin belief and His mission. He did not give John instructions to baptize all nations or even await the Resurrection. He essentially told those He loved that He was a he - dead man hanging.
Understand this and you understand all of Christianity, including that the purpose of morality is not to placate God, but to live well on Earth. This view is mutually exclusive from the view that God is angry and his anger must be satisfied by blood. Instead, the blood is to be shared as Jesus shared our despair (I thirst).
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