Below please find Reader Comments that were published, but for some technical reason may not be accessible to others. IT is working on it, but meanwhile, here are Recent Reader Comments:
RE: “Papal Infallibility and Contraception for Difficult Times,” by David G. Bjornstrom
Contraception: What did Pope Francis mean? (Andrew Marquardt, Kansas)
Though Pope Francis didn’t utter a word that would change the basic conclusions you draw from Humane Vitae regarding contraception, what he did say is just as important. He wants to get to the pastoral realm of leading the church, and move beyond the unrelenting sword of doctrine which alienates so many.
Do you recall his admonishment to his cardinals to smell like “sheep,” meaning go out and be among your faithful? In doing so, he expected priests would recognize life is not lived in the letter of law you so aptly quote in your article. Rather, as you know, life is uncovered in the day-to-day actions of imperfect people, none of whom live up to the rules.
Importantly, as Pope Francis recognized, no one can objectively label peoples’ actions. I believe he was concerned about those who feel alienated because many of the loud-mouthed conservatives in the fold, wrongfully and against the letter of the law, explicitly argue people are always in a state of mortal sin (meaning beyond the sanctifying grace of God) if one has used contraception. That ignorance has led many well- intentioned Catholics away from the Church on Sundays. Pope Francis, in his exhortation, identified all sorts of ameliorating factors which would exclude a person from being in a state of “mortal” sin. These factors included duress, economic, psychological, etc. It is this merciful position in his exhortation which gives the faithful some relief from the unrelenting, unmerciful, and theologically ignorant factions of the faithful who imbue every grave matter with a “mortal sin” label.
The uneducated faithful need to know three elements must be present for a sin to be mortal: (1) grave matter; (2) committed with full knowledge; and (3) committed with deliberate consent. The Pope is conceding in his words that contraception, while objectively involving a grave matter, is not automatically done with full knowledge and consent just because it was in fact used. Food for thought.
—Andrew Marquardt, Kansas
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RE: “Divine Economics results in Real GDP: God’s Divine Providence” by Marty Troiani
Faith and the Corporate Cubicle! (Anonymous, California)
Bravo, Marty! Thank you for this vert wise and profoundly simple and insightful challenge to raise the faith bar in the corporate cubicle!
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RE: “CATHOLIC BUSINESS PROFILE: Joseph “Joe” Scheidler, by Joseph O’Brien
Joe Scheidler, an inspiration to all (Anonymous, California)
Joe Scheidler and his family have been a continuing inspiration to pro life people. We, in California, have much for which to thank him as he continually returned to California to help train people in pro life work and in the use of the media. —Anonymous, California
Joe Scheidler (Rod Murphy)
Joe and his wife, Ann are my heroes. When we started our Massachusetts pregnancy center (Problem Pregnancy of Worcester, Inc.) in 1982, Joe was our first fundraising banquet speaker. It was held in a small K of C hall with 60 folks. We are 34 years old this year and Joe and Ann are a little older too. Great interview! Thanks. —Rod Murphy