I was so disappointed that two priests have distanced themselves publicly from the bishops’ pastoral letter, Celebrating Human Life. They brought up aspects of secondary importance: timing and sensitivity.
The effect was to distract and divert the public from the core matter that is of primary importance: the Church’s teaching on IVF and the relevant legislation.
It is the right and, moreover, the duty of God’s ordained “overseer” (bishop) to lead his flock. This, to their credit and honour, is what the Archbishop of Malta and the Bishop of Gozo have done, are doing (with their current pastoral letter) and will continue to do by the grace of God.
I would not have expected such an attitude and behaviour towards their Archbishop, his commission and his authority. Though a bishop is responsible for full consultation with his community in order to formulate the best way to pass on the relevant teaching of the Church on a particular matter, it is to be recognised and acknowledged that he alone has the last word on the matter.
Theologians are at the service of the magisterium and the community; they have a mission to research ways and means how to understand the continuing relevance of the teaching of the Church vis-à-vis the signs of the times. The Church is enriched by the fact that theologians put their wisdom and knowledge at the service of the magisterium. The fact remains, though, that it is to the bishop that the formal authority for leading and guiding his flock is given.
Our bishops are wise to this and feel their responsibility keenly. Faith and morals are essential aspects of that responsibility and the bishops are well aware that both are under attack locally. Admirably rising to the demands and duties of their commission, they wrote us a letter which reminds us of the Church’s teaching on IVF.
The pastoral letter is the Church’s teaching on the truth of the matter. It shows great concern for those who suffer from sterility and empathises with them but the bishops apply the healing balm of the eternal truth to succour the sufferers.
If someone is allergic to the truth it is natural they would be irritated by the balm of the pastoral letter. This situation, of course, is the cue for priests to explain the reality of true love and true compassion in the Church’s teaching on IVF that brings the “patient” to true healing and harmony. The truth heals. As a doctor I ought to know this.
So, some words of advice to any misguided meddlers. Go back to basics with some prayerful study. Study the Catechism of the Catholic Church (the one promulgated by John Paul II), study the Theology of the Body (by the same Pope), study Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae (now there’s a “litmus test”) and then study the bishops’ pastoral letter. You will see that all are fully in line with God’s given truth.
These priests know that the effect of their act (which could be one of omission or commission) is that of a snub (to describe it most gently) in respect of their Archbishop. Snubbing the pastoral letter is snubbing the Church’s magisterial teaching on morals, which is an area safeguarded be the Holy Spirit. Quite a snub!
They should publicly reconcile themselves with their Archbishop. It is from him that they will learn about and receive true pastoral compassion and sensitivity.