Thursday, May 14, 2015

Spirit & Life - Spirit of the Synod and Rome's March for Life




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cardinal burke
Click to see my gallery of photos from Rome's March for Life!
   
  

This week, HLI's Dr. Joseph Meaney, Stephen Phelan and I met with Church officials and with pro-life leaders in Rome to discuss a range of concerns, primarily focusing on life and family.

Renewing friendships with other leaders - and resolve in fighting for the great gifts of life and family - has a special urgency these days. Many have concerns about the direction the Extraordinary Synod on the Family took last Fall, and the confusion that was so widespread. Although there have been signs from Rome in the direction of greater clarity, many remain concerned by a phenomenon that could be called "the spirit of the Synod," evidenced by a readiness by many inside and outside the Church to proceed with problematic proposals regarding Holy Communion for Catholics who, without having a first marriage annulled by the Church, are living in invalid civil unions; and giving some sort of blessing to homosexual unions.

As many have argued forcefully, charitably and eloquently, these kinds of changes cannot receive any sort of Magisterial status in Church teaching, yet their having been raised and considered in the Synod has been taken by some as license to proceed as if they already had some kind of approval. We have seen the destruction caused by the "spirit of Vatican II", which ignores what the Second Vatican Council documents actually said and proceeds as if the Truth is democratically decided, and there was some sort of approval granted for any change whatsoever. The clearest precedent for this confusion is certainly the chaos following Humanae vitae, which strongly affirmed unchangeable Catholic doctrine on human life and sexuality. There had been such an expectation of change created leading up to the publication of the document that, when it was issued by Blessed Pope Paul VI, a revolt ensued, leaving a trail of destruction both inside and outside the Church.

Yet, God's Grace remains available to all who turn to Him, and His hand is evident as we proceed through the present confusion. At the conclusion of the Extraordinary Synod last Fall was the beatification of Blessed Paul VI, which to those who see spiritually was a welcome, providential  sign that the innovators would not have the final say on how our beloved Church defines the sacrament of marriage. Cardinals Burke, Mueller, Napier and several others made powerful interventions affirming the truth about marriage and the Eucharist - and their number has only increased since the last synod meeting.

Further, we have to remember that "the spirit" is not the Spirit, the third Person of the Holy Trinity who continues to guide His Church today. The former "spirit" is a mere will to power, an adolescent demand that one's own preferences be blessed in the name of a false compassion and mercy divorced from Truth.

The need for prayer and fasting for the Holy Father and the Church is extremely urgent - as it always has been! Please also join us in prayers that the fruits of the various meetings over this last week will lead to effective action that will support the truth about life and family all over the world. We've seen all too well what happens when the "spirit" of the age holds sway, leading many away from Christ. We've also seen the joy that follows from Remaining in the Truth of Christ, toward which we direct all of our efforts.

Thank you again for supporting our mission and for walking with us on this journey. And stay tuned for more on this crucial struggle. 
 

Sincerely yours in Christ,  
Father Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
 
Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!
Father Shenan J. Boquet will join host Johnnette Benkovic on EWTN's acclaimed Women of Grace program starting Monday, May 18.  During the five-part series, Ms. Benkovic, founder and president of Women of Grace, will discuss with Fr. Boquet the importance of sharing the Gospel message, and inspiring women of faith to transform the world. -continue-
Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!
"Recognize the propaganda!" This is the message directed to Ugandan pro-life coordinators by Father Jonathan Opio, country director for HLI Uganda. Every spring, Fr. Opio provides intense pro-life advocacy seminars to students who will spread the Gospel message as a counter-measure against the lure of anti-life and anti-family propaganda. As typical of such NGOs, the rhetoric of cultural imperialism promises growth and prosperity, especially to empower women, if governments accept controversial abortion and radical gender identity provisions as human rights.  - continue -
Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!

Summarizing a major life event - one involving virtually three weeks of walking over 500 kilometers on the Camino in Santiago de Compostela to the tomb of the Apostle James - is not easy. I look back with fond memories and am eager to forge ahead. HLI regularly sends me out as a pro-life pilgrim to the far corners of the earth to organize and manage HLI mission programs, especially for Seminarians for Life International. The blessings from this pilgrimage will surely inspire future journeys to spread the Gospel of Life. - continue -
Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!
There is only one place, says the author (Butler), where Christians can turn for the full truth of Jesus and the means of salvation He gave us: the Catholic Church.
$14.95 |   Buy Now!
A must have! Abortion threatens every aspect of women's health: depression, infertility, autoimmune disease, cancer, and intimate partner violence, and more. 
$29.95 |   Buy Now!
This deeply moving short film sheds light on one of the most dramatic social and political struggles for life and family in the world: anti-life Reproductive Health bill. Find out how you can help the Filipino people in their pro-life stance!
$10.00 |  Buy Now!
Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!

Send a reminder: Catholic=Pro-Life!


    


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