I attended Mass and prayers at Notre Dame yesterday. The event was hosted by NDresponse.
http://www.ndresponse.com/ They are a student group formed amidst the controversy surrounding the honorary degree awarded to President Obama. The group was given permission to host a peaceful, prayerful alternative for students who chose not to participate in the questionable commencement exercise.
Pro-Life Catholics came from all over to celebrate the Eucharist together, to pray a rosary together and to support young Catholic graduates who chose principle over pomp. There were no arrests on the South Quad or the Grotto. There was no profanity. There was an impressive display of Catholic unity.
Conventional news outlets claimed "hundreds" attended, I say 1000+ attended. They also say "dozens" of Catholic Bishops opposed the University's decision, I say 74 signed statements of disapproval.
When the Mass and vigil ended, the quad was as neat as a pin. No garbage, paper or drink containers anywhere. I am proud of my fellow Catholics and the students that make up NDresponse.
That brings me the the point of my post. I didn't go to someone else's commencement to protest anything. Although I am staunchly pro-life, that's not why I went. I attended to support Catholics who love their faith as I do.
I believe every single jot and tittle of Church teaching. I attempt to follow every precept, to allow the Roman Catholic Church to live in me as I live in it. I fail daily in matters great and small. I am, however, a better man for the attempt.
I will be 49 years old in a week or so and I have never been tested like these Catholic graduates, or like Carrie Prejean. I can say without doubt, that at their age I would have failed. I would have saved my own skin. My desire to fit in coupled with willful ignorance would have made this a non-issue.
I would like to think that today I would step up. But what if my stated beliefs could cost me a mortgage re-fi or my job?
This is why strong support for conservative Catholic views is an essential task for the laity. No Catholic in the USA should EVER have to stand alone. We the laity, the Royal Priesthood of the Holy Roman Church, must heed the call to combat the incessant assault of secularism. The time has come to stop blaming poor catechism, misinterpretation of Vatican II, an "out of touch" clergy etc. adnauseum.
The natural law is indelibly stamped in the hearts of all men. Obedience is available to all Catholics. The sacraments of reconciliation and Communion are central to our faith and efficacious regardless of the views of the priest administering them.
My core beliefs put me in opposition to all atheists and agnostics, nearly all protestants and at least half of those in America who call themselves Catholic. Including many priests and religious. Sure, I can find plenty of common ground with all of these other groups but at the core, I can't budge. The simple principle that Catholicism is a banquet, not a buffet orders my priorities. I am not a judge of "The Law", I am subject to it.
Many conservatives state my views on many issues perfectly and I am grateful for their courage and voices but as soon as they reveal a Catholic principle that they disagree with, I can only trust them so far. At some point, they will find themselves at a "jumping off place" and I can't be sure which way they'll jump. I understand that knowing the right way is no guarantee of going the right way, but an aversion to what is "uncomfortable" is likely to unduly influence the decision.