While the bishops have been reticent over the past 40 years, this is changing, and it is not Randall Terry who is driving that bus, but the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not need public protests against the bishops to move them. Our prayers are needed at this time to continue to strengthen our bishops and to give them the holy boldness they need to take concrete actions. Bishop D'Arcy's last statement on April 29, 2009 couldn't have been stronger, keeping in mind that a bishop can only do so much canonically. What will be interesting to watch is what happens in the weeks and months after President Obama appears at Notre Dame. I would love to be a fly on the wall at the USCCB's November meeting.
I have seen different faces of the pro-life movement over the years. There are many ways to drive change in the culture, to shift it pro-life. The ultimately goal is to save the lives of babies, and the souls of those who would cave in to the culture of death for various reasons. At least, that is my position on the goal. Having laws overturned is just one of many objectives, as is educating the public.
That is my basis for raising the question, what does it do to get arrested through an act of civil disobedience? What about intimidatory tactics?
Some might argue that it draws media attention. Sure, it does when there are pictures of peaceful protestors crossing a line and getting that attention as they are arrested. Or, when there are disruptions of any kind, along with shouting and arguing. However, what do these things do to help those sitting on the fence, or those who are pro-abortion to change their hearts and minds?
I wonder if it doesn't have the opposite effect and actually drive people away, or harden their pro-abortion positions.
I look at people like Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life who has undoubtedly affected thousands, if not hundreds of thousands with his approach, and he does it without being jailed, condescending, or misleading. He too makes use of graphic pictures, but not as a primary tool. Many have been converted with the graphic pictures and videos he has, but he does not force people to look at them. Rather, they are there for the viewing in a list. He uses reason and dialogue, prayer, warmth, and some sound catechesis to move people.
I also look at Msgr Reilly, founder of Helpers of God's Precious Infants who uses a similar approach. Prayer is at the forefront, as is sidewalk counseling. It's not in any way condescending or intimidating in the way that it is done. Msgr. Reilly talks about the mission of his apostolate in this video at Gloria TV. (View pictures of past HGPI events in metro Detroit here, and mark June 13th down for the next vigil which will be led by the monsignor himself who is coming to Detroit for the day).
I don't doubt the sincerity of those who use civil disobedience or disruptive methods such as those being threatened by Randall Terry at Notre Dame this Sunday. I just have to ask....does it help or hurt? Think of the many ways the money being used to bail people out of jail could have been used to more productive ends in the pro-life movement.
I also can't help but think of the methods used by Christ most of the time. Sure, he went on an angry rampage through the temple with a whip - once. But, how many more times did he teach with gentleness, even in the face of terrible sinfulness?
God gave us all a free will. What it boils down to, is how we feel we can move people to exercise their free will in God-pleasing ways. Intimidation is actually a form of trying to force people to act a certain way. This is not God's way. Is this more effective at getting people to choose life than the methods used by people like Fr. Frank Pavone and Msgr. Reilly?
I don't think so. I just don't think so.
What say you?
I'll keep the combox open reasonable dialogue. Please be charitable. I'm hoping for some thoughtful discussion.
In the meanwhile, I hope and pray that Randall Terry, et al, don't become the focus of news coverage, taking away from the larger issue. We ought not draw attention to ourselves, but to the issue at hand. This means willingness to blend in with thousands of others in peaceful, prayerful protest.
UPDATE 1: 80 Year Old Priest Arrested on Campus of Notre Dame
UPDATE 2: Deacon Greg Kandra comments
UPDATE 3: I am beginning to be open to people being arrested with some reservations: "Jane Roe" - Norma McCorvey is Arrested at Notre Dame
Te Deum Laudamus! Home
The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
9 Comments:
There is a phrase, Vote with your feet", that seems to apply to the situation in South Bend.
Maybe those graduates who were on the fence about this should see the "peacekeepers" assaulting an aged priest, then decide to have their diplomas mailed. Rows of empty seats could speak volumes.
Ambassador Keyes is being held without bail. Was he relieved of his rosary, too?
If the arrested priest is bailable, maybe he could be celebrant of a graduation Mass off campus. Or has ND security withdrawn his faculties to celebrate the Sacraments?
I dunno.
I remember the civil disobedience of black citizens sitting on buses and entering other public places that were clearly marked WHITE ONLY.
The coverage of this brave elderly priest is powerful and moving. This really shows us how much the University has sided with the culture of death.
I don't know if Alan Keyes's arrest had much impact.
And no one would care if I went to South Bend to spend a day in jail.
So I suppose it comes down to prudential judgment.
In the United States there are approximately 3,700 abortions performed each day. This number of tortured babies dying each and every day in our country where we speak of the Land of the Free and believe that our government protects our lives is shocking beyond words. We have let this happen, each of us. We seem to have lost our passion for life and love. Yes, Christ apparently really got angery at those that misused His Father's house...really angery! His anger is coming forth into those now who are trying to save the torment of dying little babes. Carole
Randy Terry might not always be right in his methods and tactics, but he has the courage to stand up and fight for the good and the truth. Father Weslin is similar. And God love them both for it.
Is it possible that both risking arrest *and* prayerful protest are both right? Some may be called to a stronger stand and more risk than others. I thank God for Alan Keyes and the others risking arrest. You can never know whose heart may be turned to God and for life by the actions of these courageous, godly, men and women.
I don't know. I was inspired, emboldened by Allan Keyes' arrest (one of them) I saw on YouTube. I was proud of him. I was already pro-life, though. What I don't know is how it affects those who are not pro-life. You raise a valid question. I do know that St. Paul and others were very effective for the faith in their imprisonment, but that their situation may not have been the same as violating criminal trespass charges and protesting with signs and bloody dolls. I'll tell you what would really be effective: law enforcement coming into a church and arresting a homilist for strongly preaching truth. I'm afraid that day will eventually come.
Thank you for this thoughtful post, especially well read on a Sunday when we are reminded of partiality, or lack thereof as well as the command to love one another.
Lest I be taken to task for bringing up love, I do not speak of an emotion but rather of a decision, a commitment, part of one's very being.
I was away from church for a long time and returned somewhat reluctantly, yet I felt the pull, the call and I went.
As there is no accounting for grace, God has given me many gifts. One of those gifts is a true and deep change of heart on the topic of abortion.
Having said that, I will add that I did not one day simply "snap out it." No, it was a long, slow arduous journey.
It was a journey supported by prayer and community. It was not a journey that was prodded by shocking images, which as you note concerning Fr. Pavone's work, can be useful but not as primary tool.
It was a journey supported by many people of faith who were persistent but loving with me as we continued to dialog. Now yes, I did have some opening in my heart, but it was a small one and as I said, one that moved rather slowly.
It was a journey that was not influenced by violence or a certain sort of demonstration, but rather one that moved me by its consistent and powerful presence and deep commitment to life... A commitment that transcended stridency, anger and sometimes violence.
Many take me to task for admitting this. I was recently told to just shut up about it, but if I cannot share my witness about, to and for those who were like me, what then was the point? Is grace not given to be regiven with gratitude and love?
I guess I say all this because there are many ways to stand up for life and that there is a true imperative that we must do so.
We are many members of one body, so I don't say that others should cease and desist, but I do say that we must all find our expressions and our real action for standing up for life. I think we must all find ways to cooperate with grace and with God for this very purpose.
This means cooperating with and respecting one another and our varied voices and acts on matters of life and faith.
I have gone on too long, I hope that I have made some sense.
Thank you very much for your informative testimonial. This is precisely the kind of thing I am interested in learning.
How have people made the journey from being pro-abortion, or even sitting on the fence, to pro-life.
I think we all need to learn how people make that turn and what is helpful to see is that for some, it is not a spontaneous change, but an incremental, gradual one.
This, to me, underscores the need to not jump on people who don't get it, but leave the door open to dialogue.
This is what attracted me so much to the Helpers of God's Precious Infants.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
The above should answer any question that any serious Christian might otherwise have about the worthiness of peaceful protesting.
Juxtapose in your mind the image of the elderly priest being arrested against the backdrop of the majority of American bishops who didn't have the you-know-what to make a peep about this weekend's travesty at Our Lady's university, squandering an exquisite teaching moment at the expense of their cowardice!
Post a Comment