Missing the point

When various ignorami (such as those on Good Morning America and NPR's Talk of the Nation) suggest that Fr. Cutie's indiscretion proves the argument in favor of married priesthood, they are missing the point. To borrow from Chesterton...celibacy has not been tried and found wanting; celibacy has been found difficult and gone untried. In other words, the problem is not that poor Fr. Cutie had to make a vow of celibacy; the problem is that Fr. Cutie was unfaithful to his vow. This is a little like saying we should stop requiring couples to marry because monogamy is too difficult to achieve.

Basically, humans like to whine when reasonable expectations are placed upon them. Some of us even go so far as to adamantly resist. And the real brats among us will start taking our parents to task in spite of the fact that they are looking out for our best interests.

But celibacy is not an imposition; it's an invitation. Anyone who argues for married priesthood is missing the point. If you don't like celibacy, respectfully decline the invitation. If you already accepted the invitation, pray for grace in obedience.

Next we have zealots at Yad Vashem, decrying the Pope's speech as being too lukewarm. They too have missed the point. The Pope is in the Holy Land to promote peace, not take sides. Taking sides paves the way for loss of human dignity. We like to condemn atrocities, and those who commit them, and pat ourselves on our high horse for being better. The reality is that we are all capable of sin; we are all equally capable of debasing human dignity. The Pope is trying to unite Jews, Muslims, and Christians in their common goal of recognizing and upholding the dignity of every human being. Instead of pointing fingers, we should choose differently. We should resist the urge to gloat or ignore or condemn and simply live the truth revealed by God-- that none of us is worthy and yet all of us are dearly loved.

Finally, we have the scandal at Notre Dame. Academic integrity is not jeopardized by refusing to honor the most pro-abortion President in our nation's history. Respectful dialogue with such a man is possible; in which case, the University could host President Obama for a town hall of sorts. Giving him a special honor, elevating him to a platform as someone to emulate when his choices contradict the most basic precept of natural law? Those who promote human rights violations should never receive accolades from Catholics, only instruction and prayers.