How I See It
It is evidence of a weak society that will not listen to the “other” side.
Such thinking is alien to to my own being. Let everyone, even me, be heard with respect and attention.
In MY view…….
The Catholic Church welcomes all to her doors in meeting her raison d’etre of bringing all to Jesus. This means to me a Call to Conversion for everyone to His will. Hence when she welcomes all ‘JUST AS THEY ARE’ she expects that they will not stay where they are. She expects that if they are in what the Church calls a state of sin, that, in good faith, they will struggle and sacrifice to reach His holy will for them. With the help of Jesus and His Church it will take time and effort to discover and understand but it does happen! It seems to me that seeking full Church membership, but at the same time intending to continue in a lifestyle which is abhorrent to Church teaching is at the least oxymoronic!!
As Michael Novak used to point out, the life of the Catholic is identified not by smooth highways, health and wealth, but by cobblestoned paths leading to a Cross. There is a price to be paid if one is to follow Him: ”Unless you take up your Cross, you cannot…be My disciple.”
Though irrelevant, personally I am irritated by pussyfooting around in not naming what things are; abstractions and ambiguities are fine in their rightful place but when it comes to pastoral care, clarity is essential. St. Paul argues that if they do not hear the truth, how can they be expected to embrace it? Not speaking up for Truth and God is not an honest mindset. We are urged by some to do this in the name of a “compassion” which seems to me, to be misplaced and false. We are urged to couch the truth, sometimes even shade truth. To speak almost with “forked tongue.” One can speak the truth with sensitivity, true compassion and love. There is no need to hurt anyone. But to be silent when someone remains in the “objective state of sin” under God is neither pastoral nor loving (Pope Benedict XVI). To avoid, confuse or dilute the fact of Church teaching is really a great disservice to those involved and possibly even their salvation!
Yet the very Mission of the Church is to bring the True Message* of Christ to this world, not to hide it, dilute it, or sugar coat it. Hard sayings. But to whom else do we go but to Jesus? He is the one who makes it clear. Some do not like what He says. Some are offended. But the call is to follow Him. Personal behavior antithetical to His wishes is not to follow Him.
It is alleged that if we wink our eyes and pretend that all is well when it is not, then every one ultimately will be all right and all will follow Him as He wishes. Let them take the Eucharist and bring it into contact with their evil ways and all will be cleansed for full life with the Saviour. Just be patient in the meantime. This is saying that the end (holiness) can be the justification for evil in reaching it. This is the ruination of all morality and leads to moral anarchy and chaos. Where would such manipulation lead? The “All loving” parent who allows any outrageous behavior in the name of love for his beloved child is actually hostile and unloving. By analogy, one might apply such observations to the matter at hand.…
The factual point is that those who hear the message just described see NO reason to change their ways; stats show more that they see such talk as a Greenlight to their personal urges and desires. Pope Francis’ offhanded remark “Who am I to judge” set loose a torrent of hurrahs for active same sex attracted people who now believe that the Church blesses their behavior.
On the other hand, persons even in a life of sin, some of whom I have ministered to, are children of God like everyone else. They are children of Adam and Eve. Jesus died for them too. They have the freedoms with which we can work to bring them to God’s will. But to say that they should have the same rights as those who struggle with great pain to observe the EXPRESSED will of the Father is an offense against charity, fairness and justice. Some pay the price and some don’t. No one is excluded. Each decides for himself if he will “pay up.” We are all free to respond to His call or not. The invitation is set tenderly by the Host, not by the guests. It is my choice whether or not I will legitimately be nourished at His banquet. If I am not at the Eucharist, it is I who has decided not to be invited. Not The Lord.
* True Message is defined by tradition, scripture and magisterium - not by special interest groups