I'm fired up again. Last week it was the Susan B. Komen Foundation cutting off all possibility of funding women's health grants to Planned Parenthood (PP). Wow. I haven't Raced For the Cure for the Foundation for several years in Des Moines, but have in the past. Breast Cancer is something that has touched all of us.
But it seemed to me the event here in town was becoming so huge - over 20,000 walkers in DSM at last count. Then everywhere one looked the Komen name popped up. I saw it on products, with the trademark "for the cure". And pink ribbons everywhere. The Foundation was big stuff.
Prior to last week, I didn't know the back story of the pro-life "new hire" of the Georgia politician hired by the foundation CEO. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being pro-life in my eyes. I'm all for it - just not at all costs. Which is what got in the eyes of the Foundation I believe. The new goal, to strip funding from PP became a new side-mission. Though they won't admit it. They came up with a new rule that said an entity couldn't receive grant funding if it was under congressional investigation. And Surprise! That was PP.
Finally - something I've been waiting for. The women of American woke up! They found their voices and spoke up. SGK wasn't ready for the backlash - on Facebook, in the media, and most importantly around coffee shops and water coolers. I was pissed. This is a Foundation that in my mind should not be political - yet here it was, getting dirty with the best of them. I'm so sick of it.
In Creston, Iowa, where I live, the only access that some women have to a breast exam is through PP. They can't show up at Creston Medical Clinic and expect a free or reduced cost exam. Nope. So to cut that off, putting women at risk, because SGK now decided that PP isn't a pristine enough supplier of these needed health services sucks.
The backlash was immense, and SGK was forced to change their policy. Some board members have resigned. They have egg on their faces. It's still not clear whether PP will receive future grant funds from the foundation. I don't trust them - and I'm not sure many others do.
On to the whole Catholic Church/Contraception thing. I couldn't say it much better than NYT Columnist Nicholas Kristof, who writes an evenhanded column.
I've been back and forth on this issue. I've read lots of articles on the topic. I disagree with the way the Catholic Church handles the whole issue of birth control - head in the sand (the fact that 98% of the flock uses birth control). I must admit I can't argue the theology of the whole thing as I'm not an expert in that area. All I know is people are people - and they aren't going to use the rythym method...
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/opinion/sunday/kristof-beyond-pelvic-politics.html
It's been an interesting couple weeks.
Showing posts with label Catholic church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholic church. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Flip side
Our parish priest, Father Joe Pins was back this week. He's pretty new as priest go - is around 38 years old, and a priest for some 3 years or so. In my view he's a "by the rules" toe the party line kinda guy. Quite a switch from Father Art McCann, rabble rouser who has not run a parish for many years (perhaps because he's "out there" on church issues). Last week Fr. Art filled in at Holy Spirit as visiting priest and thanked me for my Letter to the Editor supporting same sex marriage.
This week the readings were about Jesus saying "I am the vine, but my Father is the grower". Something to that effect. Fr. Pins used that background to say God would prune back anyone not "of the vine". He mentioned topics like marriage being for one man and one woman as viney type views as he glanced my way (okay maybe it was just my imagination, but it felt that way).
Those types of views are exactly why the Catholic church is withering on the vine. You can't grow the same grapes year after year and expect them to thrive! You can't hack off all healthy grapes that don't quite taste the same without damaging your vine. You need some hybrid vigor and to change your growing methods through the years.
Just think how many parishioners our church would have if anyone who didn't follow the natural family planning only rules of the church. Not many I'm guessing. Our church is already dominated by old folks. Very few young families attend church each week - I know because I'm usually there. Hmmm - prune all those people and who is left? You might as well hold mass at the nursing homes and meal site!
I understand that the church can't just go with popular views, changing each year to fit the times. Part of what I do like about the Catholic faith is the framework and basis of the mass. But come on - the rules were made up by celibate men from the times when men ruled the world. It's time for church leaders - (not just men) to talk about where the church is headed. We need women priests. We need to have a serious discussion about condom use, and what constitutes a sin when it comes to birth control. I won't argue abortion - but I will argue our right to put our views on everyone else through law.
Me, I will continue to go to our church because it makes my husband happy. I admit often enjoy the time I'm at mass. I use it to reflect on my week, to sing and to think of spiritual things. I feel connected to the rabble rousers out there, not the party line spewers.
I'm glad I spoke out in favor of gay marriage in our local paper. I don't care if it gets me the hairy eyeball treatment by the priest or others who don't agree. I've gotten several supportive comments on my letter to the editor. I can't stifle myself.
This week the readings were about Jesus saying "I am the vine, but my Father is the grower". Something to that effect. Fr. Pins used that background to say God would prune back anyone not "of the vine". He mentioned topics like marriage being for one man and one woman as viney type views as he glanced my way (okay maybe it was just my imagination, but it felt that way).
Those types of views are exactly why the Catholic church is withering on the vine. You can't grow the same grapes year after year and expect them to thrive! You can't hack off all healthy grapes that don't quite taste the same without damaging your vine. You need some hybrid vigor and to change your growing methods through the years.
Just think how many parishioners our church would have if anyone who didn't follow the natural family planning only rules of the church. Not many I'm guessing. Our church is already dominated by old folks. Very few young families attend church each week - I know because I'm usually there. Hmmm - prune all those people and who is left? You might as well hold mass at the nursing homes and meal site!
I understand that the church can't just go with popular views, changing each year to fit the times. Part of what I do like about the Catholic faith is the framework and basis of the mass. But come on - the rules were made up by celibate men from the times when men ruled the world. It's time for church leaders - (not just men) to talk about where the church is headed. We need women priests. We need to have a serious discussion about condom use, and what constitutes a sin when it comes to birth control. I won't argue abortion - but I will argue our right to put our views on everyone else through law.
Me, I will continue to go to our church because it makes my husband happy. I admit often enjoy the time I'm at mass. I use it to reflect on my week, to sing and to think of spiritual things. I feel connected to the rabble rousers out there, not the party line spewers.
I'm glad I spoke out in favor of gay marriage in our local paper. I don't care if it gets me the hairy eyeball treatment by the priest or others who don't agree. I've gotten several supportive comments on my letter to the editor. I can't stifle myself.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Father Art
Picture - St. Malachy School, Creston
Father Art McCann made my week last night at mass. Paul and I are Catholic - something that often pains me, thanks to the history, politics and actions of the church hierarchy. I'm so wishy washy on the faith that it's surprising I still go to church at all. But I do.
I was raised somewhat Catholic by my mom Patricia Morehead Bullock who was also raised that way. We liked to say Dad was Country Clubian - on Sunday mornings he went to the Country Club to play golf (or pitch in the winter). Mom had to sole chore of raising us to be little fish eaters - making sure we got to church (with doilies on our heads pre-vatican 2), Cathechism, and did all the sacraments. Dad went along for midnight mass at Christmas.
Something happened along the way - by the time I got to high school, Mom ran out of steam. I believe she got disillusioned with church stances on birth control, women's rights, and more. She continued to donate to church but didn't attend or make us go. So we didn't! While attending college, I only went to St. Thomas Aquinas once or twice.
Paul Goldsmith was raised in the Catholic stronghold of Earlville. His parents lives and all extended families' lives were based on the church and church activities. It was the center of their world. They did the rosary together and didn't miss church except upon their death bed. Paul attended Catholic school through 12th grade.
When I began dating Paul I realized how important faith was in the Goldsmith family. Every one of his married siblings except 1 had married a Catholic in the church. The one that bucked the system caused a major ruckus! When I moved to Sioux Falls, I even checked out the church in my neighborhood on my own. Paul and I usually attended when he visited. Then we were married in my home church Ss Peter and Paul in Atlantic. When we lived in Osage we didn't attend there too much as we were often traveling. Plus the priest was kind of a jerk. But Amy was baptized there.
Once we got to Creston, we've been very active in the church - Holy Spirit, and mostly the school, St. Malachy - which I'm a huge fan of for various reasons. Jud was baptized here by a wonderful priest and man, Fr. Gerald Stessman. Our baby Patrick, who only lived 6 days, was the reason we became friends with Fr. Howard Fitzgerald (Creston's priest) and Fr. Art McCann (the chaplain at Iowa Methodist Hospital who baptized, confirmed and gave Patrick last rites).
Despite all these things I has serious issues with the church. I know all churches have issues and politics going on. You don't get a large group of people together without that. I'm in line with the church's teachings on capital punishment, though Paul isn't. I understand the reasoning behind their stance on birth control, though I don't believe most of us can make natural family planning work. Sex is a powerful urge, and most of us have to have such control in so many other parts of our lives, that we won't take the time and use the restraint necessary.
But to go to Africa, where AIDS is rampant and preach against the use of condoms is criminal! Those people have NOTHING except their bodies. Women can't refuse their husbands, but they might get them to use condoms if they didn't have the excuse that the church forbids it. It's disgraceful. Just the idea of a bunch of celibate men making these decisions is wacky!
The church's stance on gay marriage is also something I don't understand. How can you base anything in today's world on strict interpretations on bible teachings? It's a book written by men long ago. So to use the bible as the reason two people should not be allowed to be legally wed is stupid. Yet many Iowans are all up in arms about the recent Supreme Court ruling that gays can be legally wed in Iowa. This law does not say that every church must allow this. It's a legal ruling, not one for religions (separate, remember??).
Father Art McCann made my week last night at mass. Paul and I are Catholic - something that often pains me, thanks to the history, politics and actions of the church hierarchy. I'm so wishy washy on the faith that it's surprising I still go to church at all. But I do.
I was raised somewhat Catholic by my mom Patricia Morehead Bullock who was also raised that way. We liked to say Dad was Country Clubian - on Sunday mornings he went to the Country Club to play golf (or pitch in the winter). Mom had to sole chore of raising us to be little fish eaters - making sure we got to church (with doilies on our heads pre-vatican 2), Cathechism, and did all the sacraments. Dad went along for midnight mass at Christmas.
Something happened along the way - by the time I got to high school, Mom ran out of steam. I believe she got disillusioned with church stances on birth control, women's rights, and more. She continued to donate to church but didn't attend or make us go. So we didn't! While attending college, I only went to St. Thomas Aquinas once or twice.
Paul Goldsmith was raised in the Catholic stronghold of Earlville. His parents lives and all extended families' lives were based on the church and church activities. It was the center of their world. They did the rosary together and didn't miss church except upon their death bed. Paul attended Catholic school through 12th grade.
When I began dating Paul I realized how important faith was in the Goldsmith family. Every one of his married siblings except 1 had married a Catholic in the church. The one that bucked the system caused a major ruckus! When I moved to Sioux Falls, I even checked out the church in my neighborhood on my own. Paul and I usually attended when he visited. Then we were married in my home church Ss Peter and Paul in Atlantic. When we lived in Osage we didn't attend there too much as we were often traveling. Plus the priest was kind of a jerk. But Amy was baptized there.
Once we got to Creston, we've been very active in the church - Holy Spirit, and mostly the school, St. Malachy - which I'm a huge fan of for various reasons. Jud was baptized here by a wonderful priest and man, Fr. Gerald Stessman. Our baby Patrick, who only lived 6 days, was the reason we became friends with Fr. Howard Fitzgerald (Creston's priest) and Fr. Art McCann (the chaplain at Iowa Methodist Hospital who baptized, confirmed and gave Patrick last rites).
Despite all these things I has serious issues with the church. I know all churches have issues and politics going on. You don't get a large group of people together without that. I'm in line with the church's teachings on capital punishment, though Paul isn't. I understand the reasoning behind their stance on birth control, though I don't believe most of us can make natural family planning work. Sex is a powerful urge, and most of us have to have such control in so many other parts of our lives, that we won't take the time and use the restraint necessary.
But to go to Africa, where AIDS is rampant and preach against the use of condoms is criminal! Those people have NOTHING except their bodies. Women can't refuse their husbands, but they might get them to use condoms if they didn't have the excuse that the church forbids it. It's disgraceful. Just the idea of a bunch of celibate men making these decisions is wacky!
The church's stance on gay marriage is also something I don't understand. How can you base anything in today's world on strict interpretations on bible teachings? It's a book written by men long ago. So to use the bible as the reason two people should not be allowed to be legally wed is stupid. Yet many Iowans are all up in arms about the recent Supreme Court ruling that gays can be legally wed in Iowa. This law does not say that every church must allow this. It's a legal ruling, not one for religions (separate, remember??).
And don't get me started on choice issues - I contend that places like Planned Parenthood make the world better and safer. But they are considered the crux of all evil to the church. And so my best friend Deb, Planned Parenthood manager recently left the church. It makes me very sad, and confused. She and I share many beliefs. She has always seemed much more Catholic to me than I am! Except for her career choice of course. And now she's chosen to go somewhere that is more welcoming to her. If our church isn't for Deb, is it for me?
So of course the Catholic Church came out spewing against the same sex marriage ruling, calling for a state vote. Priests have railed against it from the pulpit. I disagree! Our local newspaper has had a few letters to the editor condemning homosexual love and marriage. I decided to share my views and that letter was in the paper Friday May 1. I told Paul that I'd probably get some dirty looks in church - and our present priest seems pretty conservative.
What I didn't know is that Father Art McCann was visiting priest last night. We shook his hand warmly on the way into church. (One of my earliest blogs shows him with me and Deb when we attended Sing along Sound of Music - we in nun garb, he in penguin suit (he moonlighted as an usher there). He was so sweet and caring when Patrick died, I'll always love him. I've always thought his views were probably too liberal for the Des Moines hierarchy - he's not been a parish priest for many years.
His homily was on a speaker he saw this week who lived through the Holocaust. It was very touching. Then, during the sign of peace he came down the steps and shook the hand of the people in front of us. Next he shook Paul's hand and mine and looked me in the eyes and said "thank you for the letter you wrote to the paper this week". I got tears in my eyes. That's why I stay Catholic. There has to be people like us and priests likes him to fight the good fight for our side and our beliefs! Thanks Fr. Art for re-affirming my faith that there are other Catholics like me.
So of course the Catholic Church came out spewing against the same sex marriage ruling, calling for a state vote. Priests have railed against it from the pulpit. I disagree! Our local newspaper has had a few letters to the editor condemning homosexual love and marriage. I decided to share my views and that letter was in the paper Friday May 1. I told Paul that I'd probably get some dirty looks in church - and our present priest seems pretty conservative.
What I didn't know is that Father Art McCann was visiting priest last night. We shook his hand warmly on the way into church. (One of my earliest blogs shows him with me and Deb when we attended Sing along Sound of Music - we in nun garb, he in penguin suit (he moonlighted as an usher there). He was so sweet and caring when Patrick died, I'll always love him. I've always thought his views were probably too liberal for the Des Moines hierarchy - he's not been a parish priest for many years.
His homily was on a speaker he saw this week who lived through the Holocaust. It was very touching. Then, during the sign of peace he came down the steps and shook the hand of the people in front of us. Next he shook Paul's hand and mine and looked me in the eyes and said "thank you for the letter you wrote to the paper this week". I got tears in my eyes. That's why I stay Catholic. There has to be people like us and priests likes him to fight the good fight for our side and our beliefs! Thanks Fr. Art for re-affirming my faith that there are other Catholics like me.
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