The above map shows America's Catholic population. The dark red designations are areas where Catholics are strongly represented, more than 25% of the population.Now imagine if Catholics were loyal to the Magisterium and voted in blocks, like any other ethnic or religious groups. Can you imagine New England being overwhelming Pro-life as this map shows it could be? What about the cities of New York or Chicago being against birth control? How 'bout California being in favor of traditional mariage? We have enough of the population in all these places to change the political landscape if desired.
The question should be asked, how did the Catholic Church in America lose its way?
I believe it did not have a large amount of Her leaders speaking out as Bishop Martino does below, preaching the clear, unfiltered Gospel. The Church in America became infiltrated by authority figures who watered-down their gospels to adjust to the times and make sure they did not offend anyone, parishioners in the pews or politicians at the podium.
Our Catholic universities became overflowed with educators who placed their own primacy and interpretations of their alle carte faith ahead of Rome's teaching and were permitted to continue teaching.
The seminaries were flooded by sub-standard applicants who were accepted because their numbers were dwindling and 30 years later this mistake would bring the darkest moment that the Catholic Church in America has ever seen.
The good news is I believe there is a new breath of life in the Catholic Church in America. Young leaders like Archbishop Chaput, Fr. Frank Pavone, Fr. Corapi, Fr Euteneuer, etc... are teaching the unfiltered Gospel nationally and this tells me now there is a different ballgame. Nancy Pelosi poked the sleeping giant in the eye, the giant awoke and said enough is enough. It's very encouraging.
5 comments:
I never knew CA was so predominantly Catholic--and it's one of the most liberal states in the Union. What's up with that!!
"...The Church in America became infiltrated by authority figures who watered-down their gospels to adjust to the times and make sure they did not offend anyone, parishioners in the pews or politicians at the podium..."
And by too many of the Catholic laity who stood by and said little while the Church was infiltrated. There are more of us than there are priests, bishops, and cardinals. We are accountable for their actions, too.
But yes, enough is enough.
Lauran-
That is an interesting comment. I will try to give my thoughts on how much the laity should get involved with still being considered in good standing under the Church's authority in a future post. I have formed my opinion, but have not polished my communication to share yet.
I'm not really familiar with church policies, but it's distressing to see that the desire is not simply to live in accordance with your religious beliefs, but to "change the political landscape" so the rest of us are all forced to live in accordance with them as well. I do believe coding even religion into law may be appropriate for Iran or Afghanistan, but not for the United States.
The abolitionist movement came out of the churches in the North. These were people who took action, "changed the political" landscape" as you say, to change society based on their religious beliefs. By your statement I guess people should still have slaves.
The Civil Rights movements came out of churches in the South, framed by the beliefs in the Bible.
MLK constantly used biblical quotes in his speeches.
With your logic, you must be for segregation as well. This was people pushing their religious beliefs on others.
Wil, after reading a multiple of your posts, you seem to be a professional arguer. I suggest you find a blog more in line with your views.
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