Nieqa Engl. Jan 2010

1. The Archpriest's fulessage
JANUARY
2O1O
CONTROVERSIES
We hear of controversiesamongstus nearlyeveryweek, immigrants,divorce,censorships, feasts,
the Crucifixin pubticptaces,and so on...Awhotedebatearises the countrywhen a new issueis
in
broughtforward, The media starts discussing, everyonestarts putting on his own point of view.
Atl thoseairingtheir viewsin newspapers, radio, T.V. Internetand other meanstry their best to
inftuencethe pubtic opinion. Sometimes, happens
it that a new controversyarisesbefore we
haveeven settled the previousone.
ln such circumstances may find oursetves
we confusedand start askingquestionsabout who is
right; what positioncan I take?lf what I betievedin, still hotdsgoodfor today. Or, if it is better if
we do not discuss anythingat a[[ in order not to be confused. On the media,we find programs
addressed more to the brain, when discussions hetd between a few persons. Other programs
are
emphasize more on emotions,where everyoneexpresses one's own opinion. So in this wortd
today, we haveto cope with att thesecontroversies differencesof opinion.
and
Formingour own opinion
So white respectingeverybody's opinion,we shouldbe abte to form our own opinionas mature
adutts and atso as Christians. The more we are wett informed on the Word of God and the
teachingof the CathoticChurch,the easier it witt be to deal with these controversies an in
objective way, which doesnot necessarily
meanwhat I think is best or what suits me better.
'The Churchtakes certain decisions,
that for somemay seemotd fashioned,
but the Churchfirst
and foremostsafeguards Lawof Godand then the common
the goodof att and not of an individual
or of a sectorof the people.
We are tiving in a society when, as Christians,sometimeswe have to make a choice that goes
against currentissues.Wheresometime ago,we can saythat everybody
the had the samefaith,
and usedto reason thingsout in the samemanner,not anymore today. This matter is referredto
in The Pastoral Letter by the Bishops the beginning Advent,which reftectson this situation
at of
in Matta.
More co-operation between us
Insteadof dreaming to create some kind of crusadeagainst those who do not agree with our
opinion, or thinking that we can turn the clock backwards, is important that we prepare
it
ourselves with the necessary teachings.Aboveatt, let us supportone another. We can showthis
by the hearingof the Sunday Masswhere we find the importanceof our Christiantife. We have
also to do our best to give some of our time to work in the Parish,so that a[[ sectionsof the
parish are reachedand given the necessary formation. The social activities that are organized
every now and then also hetp to havea united communitypleasing Our Lord.
to
We are tivingin a very interestingtime, so let us makethe bestof it. PopeJohnXXlllusedto say,
"tet us not be prophetsof misfortune". Whenone is discouraged, retreats, moansand grumbles,
one wi[[ ruin onesetfand the community. We need to be optimistic, so that we increasethe good
that we possess and without any imposition but with [ove, we urge others to foltow the values
whichwe embrace.
Whateverwe go through in our [ife, Our Lord remainsalwaysthe Masterof mankindthroughout
all ages.
Fother Evan