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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