Letters

Decline of the faith (letter)

Brian Carter

Contents - May 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: A moral challenge for society - Peter Westmore Liturgy: New edition of the Roman Missal released: vernacular translations to come - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Catholicism in Australia: facing the challenges of Western secularism - Archbishop George Pell General absolutions continue in the Toowoomba Diocese - Michael Gilchrist US Jesuits' action against Father Fessio sparks worldwide protests - AD2000 Report US research puts clerical sex-abuse in perspective - Philip Jenkins Gregorian Chant's new lease of life in Brisbane - AD2000 Report 'The Resurrection in the university' - IMCSA National Conference in Sydney - Nicholas Rynne Letters: Hymns (letter) - David Schutz Letters: Farewell Mass for Fr Des Byrne (letter) - Barry O'Brien Letters: Priestly formation (letter) - Cyril Drew Letters: Liturgical abuses (letter) - Name and Address Supplied Letters: Decline of the faith (letter) - Brian Carter Letters: Christian principles (letter) - Errol P. Duke Letters: Transubstantiation (letter) - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: Correct Greek (letter) - Fr J.B. Cotter Letters: Need for prayer (letter) - Kevin Pitt Letters: Harry Potter? (letter) - John F. Doherty Poetry: Two Loves - John Meston Books: Demons and Democrats: 1950s Labor at the Crossroads, by Gavan Duffy - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: The Forty Four: The Martyrs of the English College Rome - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Books: Beyond Gay, by David Morrison - John S. Webster Books: Pedophiles and Priests: Anatomy of a Contemporary Crisis, by Philip Jenkins - David Ross (reviewer) Books: Prove It! Church, by Amy Welborn - Bill Muehlenberg (reviewer) Books: Father Ian Falconer's Latin Course - Ken Bayliss (reviewer) Books: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: The Ascension: climax of Our Lord's life on earth - Fr Ian Falconer SJ

A number of your readers have expressed their concern at the watering down of the faith which has occurred over the past few years. Why is it that we Catholics are rather reticent to talk about our faith, in contrast to discussions of our favourite football team. Is it that we are not getting leadership from the pulpit?

I recently read an article from the US, which raised the same question. It said that even though the Vatican thunders about abortion, same-sex marriage, assisted suicide, illicit sex, consumerism, smutty sex education, defective theology and more, yet in most parishes there is little effort made to rectify the situation.

All we get is feel-good homilies. We don't hear about the Church's teachings on abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, pre-marital sex, pornography, birth control, the indissolubility of marriage, hell, etc.

Why not? Is it too controversial? Political correctness and ecumenism are all the go. Shack-ups and homosexual partnerships are considered morally equivalent to Holy Matrimony, with married couples not referred to as husbands and wives anymore - now they are "partners", just like those in immoral unions, lest these people feel "marginalised".

We are not receiving the full Catholic message and are being robbed of our history, doctrine and moral resources; it is no wonder our seminaries and churches are empty.

An announcer on a radio talkback program once said whilst discussing religion, "Some of the Churches' leaders are so concerned about being popular, that they are practically dancing with the devil".

It is about time our clergy stood up for Christ and showed a bit of courage - like Archbishop Pell when he refused practising homosexuals Communion.

BRIAN CARTER
Burnside, SA

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 4 (May 2002), p. 14