Is it possible to agree with a secularist
point of view, which clearly contradicts Church teaching, while still
maintaining ones support for the teaching of the Church? This is the question I have been pondering
this week. The reason for this
consideration was because of a statement, which was made by Gunther
Simmermacher, the editor of The Southern Cross, in last week’s editorial.
Simmermacher writes: “Let us be clear, however, about this: . . . Those who are tolerant of
the legalisation of same-sex unions do not, specifically, propagate a reform of
the Church’s teachings on sexuality.”[i]
What I understand Simmermacher to be saying
is that I can, as a Catholic, accept the legislation of same-sex unions, even
though my conscience, which is formed by the teaching of the Church, clearly informs
me that such a union is in fact contrary to the will of God. In other words it is okay to ignore my
conscience.
Alternatively, what Simmermacher may be
suggesting is that a Catholic can hold differing opinions for different areas
of his or her life. The Catholic can
accept the Church’s teaching on same-sex unions as a valid teaching, while also
accepting the contradictory secular view that claims that same sex unions are,
contrary to what the Church believes, acceptable.
I believe that this statement by
Simmermacher is just silly. It reflects
exactly what is wrong with our South African Catholic newspaper – The Southern
Cross.
To be Catholic is to follow our Lord
Jesus. It is an acceptance of the way of
life that our Lord wants for us. It is
turning our back on all those worldly matters that are so appealing, yet so
completely opposed to the will of God.
It is not easy. It often sets us
apart from the world and earns us ridicule.
Yet, if we claim to love our Lord, we must follow him completely,
without reserve, in all areas of our life.
Catholics believe that homosexual acts are
contrary to the will of God. Therefore
Catholics cannot condone same-sex unions because, in doing so, we condone, by
implication, the homosexual acts that may accompany such a same-sex union. (What else is the purpose of such a union?)
It simply is inconceivable that a Catholic
could be “tolerant” of an act, like
same-sex unions, that offends God and still, at the same time, claim to be
truly Catholic and completely accepting of the Church’s teaching. That’s hypocrisy. That’s just complete and utter nonsense.
It is, sadly, the politically correct
approach that many adopt today because they simply do not have the moral
backbone to stand up for what they believe in.
Instead they morph continuously so that they are all things to all men.
Every week Simmermacher is presenting, to
Catholics readers in South Africa, a lukewarm approach to Catholicism. The newspaper is disguising dissent as mature
and constructive debate, an error that Pope Benedict XVI specifically warned us
against.
