The following comes from a August 21 TFP Student Action news release:
Ahead of the upcoming Synod on the Family in Rome, dozens of organizations are collecting petitions to Pope Francis, asking him to reinforce Church teaching on marriage and family. Today, the worldwide petition surpassed 500,000 signatures, including those of 5 cardinals, 117 bishops and hundreds of prominent civil leaders.
The ‘Filial Appeal’ to the Pope is available here.
“College students from coast to coast are asking Pope Francis to reaffirm Church teaching at the Synod,” said John Ritchie, director of Tradition Family Property Student Action, one of the pro-family groups gathering petitions.
“After Ireland and the U.S. Supreme Court both approved same-sex ‘marriage,’ a strong reaffirmation of Church teaching could save the sacred institution of marriage, strengthen the family and dispel the lies of the homosexual revolution,” Ritchie stated. “Young Catholics — even non-Catholics — look to the Church as a beacon of morality and stability in our Godless culture, but some of our shepherds have issued confusing statements.”
According to LifeSiteNews.com, Bishop Johan Bonny, a delegate at the upcoming Synod, stated, “Inside the Church, we must look for a formal recognition of the relational dimension that is also present in many homosexual, lesbian and bisexual couples.”
Cardinal Walter Kasper of Germany, whose controversial statements have caused growing concern among the faithful, said, “… if the majority of the people wants such homosexual unions, the state has a duty to recognize such rights.”
Other media outlets report that Bishop Heiner Koch, another influential Church figure at the Synod, said, “Any bond that strengthens and holds people is in my eyes good; that applies also to same-sex relationships.”
“This prayerful petition asks Pope Francis to clear up the moral confusion that’s been spreading against Natural and Divine Law,” continued Ritchie. “If the enemies of the family continue to chip away at holy matrimony, the future of the family and civilization itself will be in even more serious peril.”
The pro-family petition, Filial Appeal to His Holiness Pope Francis on the Future of the Family, will be hand delivered in Rome on September 29, the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel.
This will only work if the Pope wills it (or listens to the Holy Ghost). He can, as any dictator, simply impose his will on the Church and join with the semi-heretics, and impose apostasy on all.
Or, the Pope can act as Paul VI and give us wonder, like “Humanae Vitae”.
No. Jesus protects us from the Pope imposing his will on the Church and from heresy and apostasy.
Or, he could recall Humanae Vitae –
Christopher,
Truthfully speaking, the Pope can’t enforce his will as a dictator. He’s a steward and, as such, can only lawfully impose Christ’s will.
A simple message, just a statement of truth – good job !!!
Oh, St. Christopher! “…and impose apostasy on all.” Impose apostasy! How tragic, yet possibly accurate! Yes, it is very similar to the period of time right after the Council, when many Catholics were expecting that the Pope might change his mind on birth control– and yet, Bl. Pope Paul VI actually came out with his faithful and true Church teaching, in “Humanae Vitae.” Of course– a Pope can personally make some goofy, off-the-cuff statements. But formally– at least, we know that the Holy Father CANNOT change Church doctrine! Yet– to ENCOURAGE SIN with goofy statements, is very destructive, to the Church!! I signed the petition, and hope it succeeds!
” Could a strong reaffirmation of Church teaching save institution of marriage?” – YES.
Please sign the petition (embedded in the article), pass on to all Catholics in your email address book, and ask them to sign and pass on to others.
Whatever happens in Rome this Fall will tell us once and for all what this pope is all about. Let the Holy Ghost guide him in the right direction.
A Look at San Francisco’s New Teacher Contract
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2015/a-look-at-san-franciscos-new-teacher-contract
– The Church clearly and consistently teaches, (especially as more recently emphasized by Pope Francis) that by far the most effective way to teach Catholic values, the Gospel, and provide moral guidance is by sincere personal witness in one’s life. Vatican II states that,
“teachers by their life as much as by their instruction bear witness to Christ, the unique Teacher.”
For example, known immoral behavior outside of school, such as being actively engaged in sexual relations (homosexual or heterosexual) outside of sacramental marriage, does indeed impact a teacher’s ability to work in a Catholic…
Even though I do not admire the present pope altogether, and think his leadership style is lacking, I acknowledge that God has seen to it, for His own reasons, that this man has been chosen as counselor, guide, and leader to the Holy Church in our lifetimes. To equate his sacred position with that of dictator is the moral equivalent of anointing oneself as a saint during one’s own lifetime.
Bishop Heiner Koch said, “Any bond that strengthens and holds people together is in my eyes good; that applies also to same-sex relationships.”
Hmmm, this would certainly also include spousal abuse if the couple is psychologically inclined. How quaint.
Re Bishop Bonny: What exactly is a bisexual couple?