The common good
Dear editor: The divorce debate in Ireland in 1995 was based on false opposites — Church teaching on morality versus personal rights and compassion. The real issue was, according to John Waters (IRL), personal rights versus the common good. How does a society avoid devouring itself when divorce and now the online available abortion pill are so easily available? What is the common good? Moses, the greatest law-giver established for us, from his conversations with God, the Ten Commandments — as a basis for life in common. In this, he also raised man to glory for it gave him what he did not have before: a way to build a relationship with God.
At the same time, these laws gave people precepts of righteousness and judgement. Then when Jesus came, they were extended, but were not annulled.
Is this tried and true belief not entitled to participate in the discussions on the major issues of our time?
The media, organizers of the public conversation, appear to have a consensus, that this proven system of communal living has nothing to offer, while a great truth is staring us in the face: that marriage fails because love fails and that the unchallenged availability of the abortion pill is grounded on a system that no longer proposes truth, unity and courage to a young, scared, isolated woman who finds in shame, anger and despair that she is becoming a mother.
Do the abortion providers ever ask the question: what is this going to do to you as a human being with infinite longings for life itself and a heart made for love of God and neighbour?
Participating in the Irish divorce referendum one man said: “I do not want to see my wife having coffee twice a week with two divorced women in a culture where marriage is weakened by lying, cheating and grief.”
What is odd in a parent saying in B.C. today: “I desire to see my family raised in a society that really cares about the meaning of life, about what it means to be human and where young people will be supported to take the narrow path that leads to inner peace when they are faced with th greatest choices of their lives?”
People give great mileage to freedom of choice but the road to the abortion providers is wider, better paved and lighted and funded too.
Pride remains a big player in all of this. It has its roots in not being willing to call God our Creator and is underlined by Moses in the first three Commandments of his law.
I was astonished at the year-end how people on receiving awards stated immediately how proud they were to receive the honour.
I thought it might argue better if they said: “With so many deserving of this, I am really humbled on being favoured in this way.”
The self-made man is still king of the road. But a dedication to the common good, with everyone and for everyone, is our tomorrow. Fr. Harry Clarke
Kelowna