Monday, August 13, 2012

Eat Mor Chikin?


Monthly Message to the Knights of Columbus

Dear Brother Knights,

The infamous Chick’n Controversy has been in the news this past month.  What did the founder of Chick-fil-A, Dan Cathy, actually say to ignite the firestorm?

"We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit," he told the Biblical Recorder.  On the radio, he observed: "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage." (Los Angeles Times, July 31, 2012)
Let’s consider some important facts as we examine this controversy.  First of all, as a citizen, our constitution grants Mr. Cathy freedom of speech and he is entitled to his opinion—whether or not everyone agrees with it.  Next, all of us should know that as human beings we have both an intellect and free-will which can be used for good and for bad, and from which we all make choices.  Mr. Cathy and all of us can reason and can make decisions.  He used his intellect and made a choice to support the traditional concept of marriage and family.  He also chose to speak publically about his beliefs. 

Another significant factor in this matter is that Catholics and most mainline, traditional or evangelical Christian denominations follow the teachings of the Bible as the inspired Word of God.  It is one of two essential foundations of our Catholic faith (Scripture and Tradition).  Those not holding the Bible as sacred or inspired would generally find some other source as their means of making moral or ethical judgments.
     
Apply these considerations to the current situation and observe what we get.  Some contend that Mr. Cathy should not be mixing business, politics, religion and his personal opinion.  In this instance, as in many others, it does seem to make for a volatile mix.  Some have taken an active position on either side of the issue—there have been both protests and a surge in sales in various locations.  Depending on one’s point of view, it becomes a moral issue, an issue of equal rights for gays, a freedom of speech issue, a definition of marriage issue, an issue of mixing of business, politics, and religion, etc.

Where do we, as Knights, fit in?  As faithful Catholics and American citizens we have the right to speak freely about what we believe—freedom of speech and freedom of religion found in the First Amendment of our Constitution give us rights and protections under law.  We have intelligence to sort through this issue (and issues like it) and free-will that enables to respond accordingly.  Moreover, our Catholic Church is instructed by a teaching authority (magisterium—the Pope united with his bishops) that we believe is guided in matters of faith and morals by the Holy Spirit to help us remain on the right course.

The USCCB (United Stated Conference of Catholic Bishops) teaches the following on a website entitled Marriage:  Unique for a Reason established by the bishops to instruct about marriage:

Basing her teaching on God’s revelation in Scripture and the meaning of the human person, created male and female in the image of God, the Catholic Church teaches that marriage is the lifelong partnership of mutual and exclusive fidelity between a man and a woman ordered by its very nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1601; Code of Canon Law, can. 1055.1; Gaudium et Spes, no. 48).

Faithful Knights need to be informed about the current issues affecting our Church, learn the background and the implications involved in the various issues, pray fervently, and not be afraid to defend (with Christian charity) the teachings of our faith.

While you’re at it you also might want to buy a chicken sandwich, if you are so inclined.

Your intellect and free-will certainly allow for this!

Fr. Ed Namiotka


  

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