How bad has it gotten when nearly 900,000 people feel that they need to sign a petition to the Bishop of Rome to beg him to be Catholic?
How bad has it gotten when converts to the Faith, many of whose names you will recognise, feel that they need to sign on open letter to the Pope and Synod bishops to uphold Catholic teaching?
Pretty bad, methinks.
September 24, 2015
Your Holiness; Dear Fathers in Christ,
We are all converts to the Catholic faith. Some of us were raised in other Christian communities; some of us came, unbaptized, from other faiths; some of us had once been thoroughly secular and thought of ourselves as agnostics or atheists. Despite the diversity of our backgrounds we all have this in common: we entered the Church as adults. As you prepare for the Synod on the Family we hope that you will be encouraged by the multitude of lay faithful who were, and continue to be, attracted to the Church in large part because of what she proposes about the human being in her teaching about sexual difference, sexuality, marriage and the family.
Early on, most of us would have objected to at least some elements of the Church’s teaching about such matters. Yet, as we began to notice how harmful were the effects of popular conceptions of human sexuality, and as some of our own congregations began to give way to the dominant culture − its ideas about freedom, equality, progress, and its growing gnostic tendencies − each of us started to suspect that there was something right about the Church’s understanding of things. Unpopular though they often were, the Church’s teachings about the facts of life became strangely attractive to us. And in time, we became convinced that they expressed the deepest truth of ourselves, a truth that is both good and beautiful, howsoever demanding. What is more, the certainty the Church had in her teachings and her confidence in pronouncing them even in the face of hostile opposition was for us evidence that we could encounter in her the life of Jesus Christ as He truly is. As human beings we understand the dramatic nature of desire and the self-justifying “dictatorship” that often accompanies it. But as converts we also know the tendency, wherever ecclesial bodies lack a visible, historical, and authoritative bond with Christ through His vicar, to adapt Christianity to the dominant mentality.
In short, the fact that the Catholic Church held fast to the deepest truth about our embodied human existence was for us a point of attraction, and a sign that the Church was the surest link to Jesus Christ Incarnate.
With respect to the bewildering diversity of contemporary opinions about the human good, especially where questions about the human body are concerned, we understood that the radical nature of the Christian claim − that God, the Son, had taken up all flesh into Himself − was at stake. Christ “revealed man to himself” (Gaudium et Spes 22). He thereby “made clear” the meaning of our humanity – and with it the meaning of the body, of sexual difference, of sexuality, marriage and the family. He did this, for example, when the Pharisees asked him about divorce, and he turned them (and his own disciples) back to “the beginning,” to human nature as it was created. What is more, he brought something new to that same humanity, bestowing on it, mercifully, a share in His own fidelity to the Church. It was not by accident, then, that early Christians were drawn to the Church through the radiant humanity of His followers, manifest, for example, in their unique attitudes toward women, children, human sexuality, and marriage. And it was not by accident that, for the same reasons, we too were drawn to the Church many centuries later.
We are keenly aware of the difficult pastoral situations that you will be confronting at the Synod, especially those concerning divorced Catholics. We also share something of the burden you carry in confronting them. Some of us have experienced the pain of divorce in our own lives; and virtually all of us have friends or close relatives who have been so afflicted. We are therefore grateful that attention is being paid to a problem that causes such grievous harm to husbands and wives, their children, and indeed the culture at large.
We are writing you, however, because of our concerns about certain proposals to change the church’s discipline regarding communion for Catholics who are divorced and civilly remarried. We are frankly surprised by the opinion of some who are proposing a “way of penance” that would tolerate what the Church has never allowed. In our judgment such proposals fail to do justice to the irrevocability of the marriage bond, either by writing off the “first” marriage as if it were somehow “dead,” or, worse, by recognizing its continued existence but then doing violence to it. We do not see how these proposals can do anything other than contradict the Christian doctrine of marriage itself. But we also fail to see how such innovations can be, as they claim, either pastoral or merciful. However well meaning, pastoral responses that do not respect the truth of things can only aggravate the very suffering that they seek to alleviate. We cannot help but think of the abandoned spouses and their children. Thinking of the next generation, how can such changes possibly foster in young people an appreciation of the beauty of the indissolubility of marriage?
Above all, we think that the proposals in question fail to take to heart the real crisis of the family underlying the problem of divorce, contraception, cohabitation and same-sex attraction. That crisis, as Benedict XVI observed, is “a false understanding of the nature of human freedom.” Still worse, as he continued, we now have to confront an outlook that “calls into question the very notion of being − of what being human really means” (“Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI on the Occasion of Christmas Greetings to the Roman Curia,” 2012). Not only are the changes in the Church’s discipline called for by some far from adequate to the challenge before us, they seem to us to capitulate to the problem they purport to address.
As has everyone else, we have witnessed the human wreckage brought about by the culture of divorce. But as converts we have also witnessed Christian complicity in that culture. We have watched our own communities abandon the original radical Christian witness to the truth about man and woman, together with the pastoral accompaniment that might have helped them live it.
And so we turn to you. We look to you to uphold Christ’s teaching on the indissolubility of marriage with the same fidelity, the same joyful and courageous witness the Catholic Church has displayed throughout her entire history. Against the worldly-wise who counsel resignation and concede defeat, let the Church once again remind the world of the beauty of spousal fidelity, when lived in unity with Christ. Who is left who can offer the world something other than an echo of its own cynicism? Who is left who can lead it toward a real experience of love? Now more than ever the world needs the Church’s prophetic witness! As Pope Francis said to the thousands of young people at World Youth Day in Brazil:
Today, there are those who say that marriage is out of fashion….They say that it is not worth making a life-long commitment, making a definitive decision, ‘forever,’ because we do not know what tomorrow will bring. I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, I ask you to swim against the time; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility, that believes you are incapable of true love. World Youth Day, 2013)
As you gather in Rome for the Synod on the Family, we want to offer you the witness of our conversion, which testifies to the attractiveness of the truth about man and woman as it has been “made clear” by Christ through His Church. It is our hope that our witness will strengthen yours so that the Church may continue to be the answer to what the human heart most deeply desires.
Sincerely in Christ,
Mark Alder – Director, Christendom Awake
James D. Anderson − Senior Advisor – History & Theology, The Coming Home Network
International; former Lutheran seminarian
Bryan Atkinson – Hospice Medical Director
Joseph Atkinson – Associate Professor of Sacred Scripture, The John Paul II Institute for
Studies in Marriage and the Family at The Catholic University of America (Washington
DC); Director, Theology of the Family Project; former Anglican priest
Deacon Mark Baker, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former Episcopal priest
Deacon James Barnett, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former Episcopal priest
Francis J. Beckwith − Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies, Baylor University;
former President of the Evangelical Theological Society; former minister in the United
Evangelical Churches
Philip Bess − Professor of Architecture, The University of Notre Dame
Joshua Belokur – Nurse, Highland Hospital (New York) NY); former pastor in The Church of
the Nazarene
Rachelle Belokur – Nurse, Heritage Christian Services (New York)
Timothy T. Bergsma – Pharmacometrician, Certara
Rev. W. Scott Blick, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former Episcopal priest
Rev. Kenneth M. Bolin, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former Episcopal priest
Laura Bramon − International child protection and anti-human trafficking specialist
Clinton A. Brand − Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of English, University of St.Thomas (Houston, TX)
Christine-Thérèse Broesamle − Missionary in Africa and Europe; international negotiator;
author; former Evangelical missionary
Rev. Jerry Brown − Pastor, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (Brentwood, CA);
Director of On-going formation for Priests (Diocese of Oakland); former Episcopal priest
Gail Buckley − President and Founder, Catholic Scripture Study International; President, The Catholic Leadership Conference
J. Budziszewski − Professor of Government and Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin
Rev. Mark Cannaday − Administrator of St. Gilbert of Sempringham Catholic Church,
Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter (Retired) (Boerne, Texas); former Episcopal
canon and rector
Steven L. Carlson − Catechist, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (Plum City, WI); former
minister in the ELCA Lutheran Church
Paul Cates – President, Faith Christian Ministries; former Lutheran pastor
Jeff Cavins − Founder and President, The Great Adventure Bible Study System
Charles M. Clowe − President, Clowe Oil Co. (Ardmore, Oklahoma)
Paisley H. Clowe – Teacher; music minister
Adam G. Cooper − Permanent Fellow and Associate Dean of Research, The John Paul II
Institute for Marriage and Family (Melbourne); former pastor in the Lutheran Church of
Australia
Rob Corzine − Vice President of Programs, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology
David Crawford – Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, The John Paul II Institute for Studies
in Marriage and the Family at The Catholic University of America (Washington DC)
David B Currie − Fellow, St Paul Center for Biblical Theology; author; speaker; former
fundamentalist missionary
Rev. Peter H. Davids − Director, House of Studies of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; Priest-in-Residence, Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church (Houston, TX);
Visiting Professor of Bible and Applied Theology, Houston Graduate School of
Theology; former Episcopal priest
Alan J. Doksansky − Former Baptist pastor
Most Rev. Peter J Elliott − Auxiliary Bishop, Melbourne; Director, The John Paul II Institute
(Melbourne)
Peter G. Epps − Visiting Assistant Professor of English, Oklahoma State University;RCIA
Coordinator, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Oklahoma City, OK); former
professor at College of Biblical Studies (Houston, TX)
Thomas F. Farr − Director, Religious Freedom Project, The Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University
John Finnis − Professor Emeritus of Law and Legal Philosophy, University of Oxford
John Fraysier − Owner, CastleGuard Pest Management, Inc. (New York); former Area
Director, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Clinton Froscher – Member, editorial board of Communio International Catholic Review;
bookseller
Jennifer Fulwiler – Author; radio host
Laura L. Garcia − Scholar in Residence in Philosophy, Boston College
Sherif Girgis − Research Scholar, Witherspoon Institute; JD candidate, Yale Law School; PhD candidate, Princeton University; author
Dawn Eden Goldstein – Author; S.T.D candidate, The University of St. Mary of the Lake
Gregory Graham, Director of Technology, Cistercian Preparatory School (Irving, TX)
George Griffin – Former Methodist pastor
Marcus C. Grodi – Founder and President, The Coming Home Network International; host, The
Journey Home (EWTN); former Presbyterian minister
Jean De Groot − Professor of Philosophy, The Catholic University of America
Rev. Lee W. Gross − Dean of Students, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary (Emmitsburg, MD); former Lutheran and Episcopal minister
Scott Hahn – Professor of Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville; author; former
Protestant pastor
Kimberly Kirk Hahn – Author; speaker
Jacqueline Halbig von Schleppenbach – Consultant and Lay Leader
Michael Hanby – Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy of Science, The John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and the Family at The Catholic University of America
(Washington DC)
Greta Harper – Founder, Voices in the Square
Rev. Brian W. Harrison − Scholar-in-Residence, Oblates of Wisdom Study Center (St. Louis, Missouri); Associate Professor Emeritus of Theology, Pontifical Catholic University of
Puerto Rico (Ponce, PR); Chaplain, St. Mary of Victories Chapel (St. Louis, Missouri)
Rev. Richard Harrris, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former Episcopal priest
Todd Hartch − Professor of History, Eastern Kentucky University; former campus minister,
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Father Doug Hayman − Priest Administrator, Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ottawa, Canada), a Quasi-Parish of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St.
Peter; Chaplain and Faculty member, Augustine College (Ottawa); former priest of both
the Anglican Church of Canada and the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada
Joy Elizabeth Heebink − Associate Professor of Religion, Waldorf College; former Lutheran
(ELCA) pastor
Richard George Herbel − Monk at St. Augustine’s House (Oxford, Michigan); former Lutheran pastor
Frank W. Hermann − Associate Professor of English, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Kent R. Hill − International development executive; religious freedom activist; former Nazarene College president
Rev. William Holiday, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former Episcopal priest
Fr. John L. Holleman – Pastor, Holy Name of Jesus Church (Semmes, AL); former Episcopal priest
Rev. Charles A. Hough IV − Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former Episcopal
priest
Rodney Howsare − Professor of Theology, DeSales University; former pastor in the Assembly of God Church
Jane Hartman Irwin − Professor of Music, Lincoln Land Community College; pianist;
recording artist
Mike L. Isbell – Member, Board of Education (Beaufort County, North Carolina); former
Disciples of Christ pastor
Rev. Joseph Jacobson –Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan (Retired)
(Alberta, Canada); Parochial Vicar, Cathedral Parish of St. John the Baptist (Retired)
(Alberta, Canada); former Lutheran pastor and bishop (Alberta Synod, ELCIC)
Susan Jenkins − Pastoral Activities Minister, Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics (Ohio)
Frank Johnson − Master Catechist; former United Methodist pastor
Jennifer Johnson − Associate Director, The Ruth Institute.
Katherine M. Johnson – Author; adult ministry leader; former missionary with Wycliffe Bible
Translators
Rev. Phillip M. Johnson − Pastor, Parish of St. Thomas More (Cherry Hill, New Jersey);
former Lutheran pastor
Richard Johnson −Adult and Family Ministry Director, Holy Spirit Catholic Church
(Duncanville, Texas); former Director of Personnel, Wycliffe Bible Translators
Rev. Carleton P. Jones − Prior, St. Dominic Priory (Washington, DC); former Anglican
clergyman
Elizabeth Kantor – Author; Editor, Regnery Publishing
Rev. Lee Kenyon, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former Episcopal priest
Rev. Leonard R. Klein – Administrator, Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary’s/St. Patrick’s
Parish (Wilmington, DE); former Lutheran pastor
Rev. W.E. Knickerbocker, Jr.− Sacramental Minister; St. Theresa Catholic Church (Junction,
TX); Professor Emeritus, Memphis Theological Seminary; former Episcopal priest
Robert C. Koons − Professor of Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin
Christopher Marc LaRose − Assistant Director The Coming Home Network
International (Retired); former United Methodist pastor
Rev. Mark Lewis and Mrs. Vicki Lewis, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter; former
Episcopal priest
Jody Vaccaro Lewis − Assistant Professor of Sacred Scripture, Pontifical Faculty of the
Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies
V. Bradley Lewis − Associate Professor of Philosophy, The Catholic University of America
Jurgen Liias – Pastor, St. Gregory the Great Ordinariate Catholic Church (Boston, MA);
former Episcopal priest
Katherine E. Lundstrom − President/CEO, Firm Foundations, Inc.
Margaret Harper McCarthy – Assistant Professor of Theological Anthropology, The John
Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and the Family at The Catholic University of
America; Editor, Humanum
Sr. Laura Marie Menge – Novice of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing; former
Lutheran pastor
Serena Harper Miggins – Business Operations Manager, Aquinas Companies (Houston, TX)
David Mills – Editorial Director, Ethika Politika; Senior Editor, The Stream; former Executive
Editor, First Things.
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