What's your diocese doing for the campaign to defund Planned Parenthood?
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Aug 17, 2015
Pro-life activists are complaining about the lack of coverage in the mainstream media for Planned Parenthood fetal-tissue trafficking. There’s ample reason for those complaints; the silence of the major news outlets is a second scandal.
But really, are you surprised? The major secular outlets have always ignored realities about abortion, while giving prime time and space to Planned Parenthood propaganda.
What’s more surprising, and no less scandalous, is the comparative silence of the American Catholic hierarchy and the diocesan Catholic newspapers. This has been an excellent example of the “teachable moment”—an opportunity to capture the attention of people who might otherwise tune out the Church’s statements on reverence for human life. A few bishops have seized that opportunity. But, sadly, only a few. Catholic bloggers and columnists have jumped all over the story, but in their news sections, most diocesan papers have barely touched it. Robert Royal The Catholic Thing provides a rundown of some noteworthy statements and silences.
“The ball’s already rolling politically” in the campaign to de-fund Planned Parenthood, Royal observes. It’s high time for Church officials, and official Church organs, to rally public support for that drive.
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: johnleocassidy3475 -
Aug. 20, 2016 2:48 PM ET USA
Dear Phil - Here in the London 'Westminster' Diocese, I'm afraid your analysis is all too true. We never hear any of the essential truths of the Catholic Church mentioned by priests in sermons such as the 4 last things, sin, repentance, compunction,theological virtues, etc. I doubt if the majority of the priests ever give much thought to salvation. It is even less certain if the real presence is held with any conviction. Purification and reform of the clergy is the big issue.
-
Posted by: feedback -
Aug. 18, 2016 1:09 PM ET USA
Phil, you are absolutely correct in your past three columns! I see Pope Francis as someone with a good potential to break the crust of corruption. And we keep in mind that there is nothing impossible for the Holy Spirit.
-
Posted by: loumiamo -
Aug. 17, 2016 3:26 PM ET USA
So half of our bishops are corrupt, and the other two thirds are cowards. That just leaves my own Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix as the lone Catholic wolf looking out for the sheep. Not quite what Jesus had in mind, imho.
-
Posted by: KC627 -
Aug. 17, 2016 2:06 PM ET USA
At our morning Mass today, our pastor, as part of his homily, stated that "Bishops and (we)Priests as 'Shepherds' should use this reading from the Prophet Ezekiel as part of an examination of conscience." I pray that all our priests, Bishops and leaders in the Church are inspired by the Holy Spirit to discern this same message from Ezekiel to see if they are properly shepherding their "flocks."
-
Posted by: fenton1015153 -
Aug. 17, 2016 10:47 AM ET USA
If American Catholics were lead by fearless men whose gaze was fixed firmly on the crucified Christ then America would not be the country that leads the world in abortion, divorce, sexual sins, drug abuse, facsist government, low Mass attendance and general poor worship of God Almighty. The Bishops and priests should dread the day they are called before the just judge to receive their final sentence. Jesus said don't fear the one that can kill you but fear the one that can let you go to hell.
-
Posted by: feedback -
Aug. 17, 2015 10:50 PM ET USA
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
