...was an Archbishop of Canterbury martyred by the Vikings, and I was baptised, confirmed and married in a church dedicated to him. I was at Mass there, too, this morning, as I was staying overnight with Mother in what is still her home parish. It's a frankly ugly church, though improved in recent years by the creation of a central aisle. And it has happy associations for me, and it's a large and busy parish, and it was good to reconnect with various friends. A speaker - Matthew Gorman, whom I know from the FAITH movement as well as pro-life campaigns - told us about the Govt's horrific plans for human-animal hybrid embryos and other gruesome schemes, in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Have you written yet to your Member of Parliament about this? Information here.
Increasingly, I get the calm and steady assumption, when talking to sane friends and colleagues, that the possibility exists of one of us ending up in prison simply for affirming the central importance, in our common life here in Britain, of traditional Christian teaching on marriage, love, and the transmission of human life. Already, I sense within myself a certain cautious concern as I write and debate on these issues - a concern that is probably useful in that it ensures clarity of thought and moderation in speech and manner. But, as with the Govt's increasingly open attacks on Church schools, one senses a biting nastiness that indicates no desire for any effective role for authentic Christianity in the public and community life of our country, and seeks to eliminate from public life any voice which seeks one.
10 comments:
So far it hasn't happened. However "I must have the legal right to do X" quickly turns into "no one may deny me a job [or similar advantage] for doing X", turns into "no-one may criticise me for doing X".
We have similar concerns in the US. Canada is much further along towards outright persecution. Oddly the Muslims seem to get a pass. If it were not for the 1st amendment in our constitution we would be in real trouble. I pray that there will be an awakening of Christianity in England.
Fr. Jim
Your comment is a challenging one, Joanna. It makes me ask myself just how far I am prepared to go to stand up for what I believe. Have I the courage of the Saints? Am I prepared to be humiliated and penalised, and for my family to be dragged into that? I can't give a clear answer,because I fear that I may be a coward in spite of all my bluster.
Marcella
It's also quite comforting to know that one's old age will be taken care of by HM Prisons!
Joanna,this may not be too far off in the distant future....
I find myself in the company of friends and associates that I work with, socialise and worship with, that are (as far as I can see) Catholic/Christian in name only.
It is in these very circles that I find myself checking what I am to say in conversation (with regard to the Truth)in order not to create too much of a deep abyss, that would separate me completely from a any opportunity to state what is correct and true according to the catechism of the church.
I elaborate:-
More recently, I dined with friends I hadn't seen in months and the conversation turned to the Church, priests, celibacy, marriage etc etc.
Much to my dismay, 'meaty discussion' ensued and these associates proceeded to pepper their conversation liberally with untruths and blatant ignorance, which they casually passed on as fact. They were left unchallenged, except by me. As soon as they were challenged the conversation died a sudden death and an uneasy silence followed afterwards.
I know that my redirection was unwelcome.
The point?
Well, every one of these 'Catholics' challenged church teaching/wisdom, Papal leadership openly and vociforously on basic fundamental teachings of our faith......their arguments obviously influenced by the secularism that is infused into our society, that goes unquestioned, unchallenged, unless blogs such as yours, make us aware of the important stuff, the serious stuff, that can & will change our way of life and defeat the fundamental principles of our faith unless we stand up and speak the Truth.
The issues you have raised over the past week are weighty to say the least! In order to make informed comments, voice coherant dissatifaction and dissociation form these proposals, should one not have BASIC knowledge of our faith?
I put forth, that if the ignorant are given the vote on the serious stuff, the informed and serious Christians will become targets of ridicule and will be pushed to the outer edges of society, and eventually silenced in one way or another. (so as not to go against the grain).
In casual conversation I have already felt negative attitudes towards the truth. With regard to the serious stuff.......?
Who knows?
Thanks for upholding the Truth, for standing up for what is moral and just, you don't stand alone.
I have had similar experiences to those that Alyson mentions, but have found that the worst opposition often comes from your own side. At a parents of 1st Communicants meeting, one parent stated that he felt weekly attendance at Sunday Mass was "a bit fundamentalist" Nobody, including the then P.P. challenged/corrected this view.At a subsequent meeting, the parents who did press for some clarification were ejected from the meeting. Further requests for clarification elicited the response that it was attitudes such as this (Sunday mass attendance is an obligation)that prevent people joining the church.
For goodness sake Joanna, keep writing but keep out of prison. Writing can keep you in the limelight but prison is ugly, very ugly. I know its a challenge but, prison has to be a very last resort. I know you love leading a crusade but, and I hate "but", keep what you are doing on the careful edge of things. Do keep fighting and we will love you for it. Stay safe sister, do not prepare for prison. Intellect will get you everywhere.
B
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There is one reason why Moslem teaching and life is not opposed, ridiculed, legislated against and dismissed: the ftwah. Moslems frighten opponents. The Lord teaches us to turn the other cheek and that gives the world carte blanche to treat us as fools. But we are fools for Christ's sake.
One of the most alarming stories I heard recently about Moslem reaction took place in Bradford. An Anglican church had made some Moslem converts. The result: the stained glass windows were broken.
How do you pronounce St. Elphege's name?
Does it rhyme with "squeegee"?
or more with "hedge"?
Prison for stating Christian beliefs! Another of Blair's legacies!
Some time ago the Daily Telegraph was the only newspaper to report (I have been unable to find this very small report since) that a fundamentalist protestant preacher was jailed for three months because an homosexual complained to the police that he had felt 'threatened' when the preacher said that homosexual practice was sinful. He died. His executors appealed. They lost.
As I said, another of Blair's legacies!
hc9@orange.net
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