Witnesses to the Truth: Now and Then

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Bishop of Arlington
(From the issue of 7/3/03)

In recent years, more and more people are tracing their roots, thereby discovering and reclaiming their ancestry and culture. This past weekend, we who belong to Christ’s Mystical Body, His Church, had the opportunity to recall and to reclaim our spiritual roots as we celebrated the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. The Opening Prayers for both the Vigil Mass and the Mass During the Day remind us of our link in faith with these two apostles. "…May the apostles who strengthened the faith of the infant Church help us on our way of salvation" (Vigil Mass); "…Through them [the apostles Peter and Paul], your Church first received the faith. Keep us true to their teaching" (Mass During the Day).

Yes, Saint Peter and Saint Paul were true witnesses for the faith, proclaiming boldly and clearly that Jesus is Lord and that in Him is found the fullness of truth, love and life. Indeed, they witnessed by shedding their blood to the point of death.

Witnessing for Christ implies of its very nature that we who claim to be His disciples stand up for the truth, "…whether it is convenient or inconvenient," as Saint Paul wrote to his co-worker Saint Timothy (cf. 2 Tm 4: 2). In recent weeks, two issues have surfaced, which call forth our continuing witness to the Gospel of truth and life.

The first of these issues is the prohibition of partial-birth abortion, which passed both the Senate (earlier) and the House of Representatives (in early June). This procedure is truly barbaric and, basically, is a form of infanticide. I join millions of Americans who see in this prohibition a strong victory for life from its very beginning and a significant step in developing and sustaining a culture of life within this great nation.

Although this prohibition does prevent the taking of innocent and defenseless human life in such a horrendous manner, the issue of abortion on demand continues to be upheld by the Supreme Court decision of January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade, and subsequent legal interpretations. As the followers of Christ, who is "the Way, the Truth and the Life" (cf. Jn 14: 6), we must redouble our efforts to defend and to protect human life through unceasing prayer; clear and positive education; encouraging and supportive outreach to both those contemplating an abortion, helping them to choose life, and those suffering its tragic and hurtful consequences, helping them to find forgiveness and healing; and unfailing witness in word and action.

I am grateful to and proud of those Catholics serving in both the House and the Senate who have followed the natural law and God’s law regarding human life by their vote to ban the heinous procedure of partial-birth abortion. I am more than disappointed and, indeed, profoundly saddened by those Catholics in both the House and the Senate, who ignored the natural law and God’s law regarding human life. I plead with them to weigh the decisions they make regarding the life issues in light of both the natural law and God’s law. Catholics in public office cannot claim to be faithful Catholics while at the same time voting on measures which directly attack innocent human life. Such Catholics should come to the conclusion that their vote is incompatible with their Baptismal commitment. I would be more than willing to discuss with them the Church’s teaching on this critical issue of upholding life at its very beginning.

The second issue is the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court, Lawrence v. Texas, striking down that state’s sodomy law. Whatever decisions are made by legislatures or courts, God’s law remains the basic foundation for all moral living and provides the ultimate criterion for judging the moral behavior of human beings. As Saint Peter reminded the Sanhedrin, "We must obey God rather than men" (cf. Acts 5: 29). Therefore, sexual activity before marriage or outside of marriage remains immoral, and marriage is defined as the union of one man with one woman, despite any law or court ruling to the contrary.

I echo the words of Bishop Wilton Gregory, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. "The Catholic Church teaches, in agreement with other faith traditions and with what once were the norms generally accepted by society, that sexual activity belongs to the marital relationship between one man and one woman in fidelity to each other. This relationship is the basis of the family which is the basic unit of society. Respect for the purpose of human sexuality and the family needs to be reaffirmed in our society; and anything which reduces respect for them — such as yesterday’s Supreme Court decision — is to be deplored."

Many people foresee that this recent Supreme Court decision will strengthen the push towards redefining the definition of marriage. Canada, our neighbor to the north, is already doing that and the State of Vermont recognizes in law same-sex civil unions. The best safeguard and ultimate resolution will be a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman. Efforts in this direction have already been undertaken and will now be undoubtedly redoubled.

Our witness to the truth causes us often to stand against the prevailing culture in order to refashion it in truth and goodness. Indeed, to be Christian is to be counter-cultural. And in doing that, we remain true to our roots: to those early witnesses in the Church, Saints Peter and Paul.

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