Laying the foundation for an authentic Christian bioethic is what this blog is all about. It is about Coming Home; Coming Home to certain truths that have been lost over the past fifty years, as our churches (Protestant and Catholic) have veered to the edge of heresy in advancing the notion that Jesus is so taken up with love, that there is for many, no more sin, no more culpability.
On this blog, I continue to work at presenting the objective truth of the human person, as evidenced by science. Such objective truth which establishes human identity in areas of life where many say it has not yet existed, or no longer does, demands respect in its inviolability.
The famous psychiatrist Karl Menninger saw the writing on the wall in 1973 when he wrote his landmark book, Whatever Became of Sin? The answer to that question requires less science than it does a faithful response to God, and those whom He placed in authority over His Church.
Father John Corapi, a former Green Beret, leapfrogs the issue of personal sin, and writes about how our behavior leads us to participate in, and share the culpability for, the sins of others. His words are essential to reestablishing an authentic Christian anthropology and bioethic.
Here now, Father Corapi:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that, although “sin is a personal act, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them” (CCC #1868).
How can we participate in the sin of another:
1. By counsel. i.e. “I think you should have an abortion; go ahead and have the abortion. It will help preserve your lifestyle.”
2. By command. i.e. Telling your child, your friend, or your co-worker, “Have an abortion, you may lose your job if you don’t.”
3. By consent. i.e. “If you and your partner feel it’s the best thing, go ahead and have a sexual relationship, get married; even if you’re both of the same sex, etc. It’s nobody’s business.”
4. By provocation. i.e. “Have the abortion! Aren’t you in charge of your own life? The Pope is old and out of touch, who cares what he says.
5. By praise or flattery. i.e. “Oh, Senator, you are so courageous and kind in defending a woman’s ‘right’ to an abortion.”
6. By concealment. i.e. The pastor allows the senator, judge, president, etc. who has voted for, or otherwise promoted, abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, same-sex marriage, etc. to appear to be in good standing, when, in fact, they have caused grave public scandal by their actions. When the sin is public, the redress must be public. Although, I don’t disagree with the courageous bishops who would deny such persons Communion, I do believe that the “confrontation” should take place, without question, long before they arrive at the altar rail.
7. By participation. i.e. “I’ll drive you to the clinic. You need that abortion to be able to continue your lifestyle.”
8. By silence. i.e. You refuse to speak out against what is a clear violation of human rights, an incredible persecution and prejudice against a class of human beings (the unborn). You hide behind the Supreme Court’s unjust and inherently illicit decision on abortion, saying it’s the law of the land, when in fact it is the subversion and perversion of authentic law. The Nazi SS officers tried for war crimes used a similar defense, saying they were only following orders. They hung them, guilty as charged!
9. By defense of the evil. i.e. “It prevents child abuse by eliminating unwanted children; Women are more in charge of their lives, more liberated; it’s so much more sophisticated and educated a thing to do etc.”
Your conscience must be formed to the objective norm of Truth, which is Church teaching in faith and morals. Since a physician needs to be concerned with what’s sick, let’s get right to the point. It is not morally possible for any Catholic to support abortion, euthanasia, fetal stem cell research, human cloning, or same-sex marriage. There are no ways around this, no justifications what so ever!! They are all intrinsically evil, which means they are always evil, all the time, no exceptions.
Father John Corapi
Edited by: Jeffrey David
Retrieved from:
http://www.courageouspriest.com/how-else-can-we-participate-in-the-sin-of-another
Fr. Corapi always gets to the heart of things PDQ.
You’re entirely correct in speaking of, “…truths that have been lost over the past fifty years…” although I’d say they were fading from sight before then.
We (Catholics in particular) need to rub the scales of political correctness and relativism from our eyes, realizing that there are very few gray areas in life. Most of it is pretty plainly marked as far as good vs. evil.
Life is not a dress rehearsal.
What is the intrinsic difference between twins and, well, twins?
Perhaps it’s late Steve, but I’m not catching your meaning in light of the context for this post.
Insightful blog. Things we all have to watch out for.
Hi Gerard – This post hit me between the eyes with a two by four. On Friday, I went to a dance at my boy’s Catholic School and I became engaged in a conversation about same sex marriage with three parents from the school. One parent was not Catholic, but the other two were. The were railing on the church and it’s teachings regarding this and other sensitive topics. I realized I did not know how to defend my faith. I remained silent and then left. I want to rectify this and teach my children how to kindly and lovingly defend our faith. Do you know if there are any books that might be available to help me with this. I am sure that at least two of the women were speaking out of ignorance and I wish I had the wisdom and courage to enter into the conversation.
Excellent article! The Catechism is a wonderful source for religious and non-religious alike.