Editorial

By Paul Schratz

Pope Benedict XVI wants Christian families to do a better job of forming consciences, and who can argue with him?

Consider the response of U.S. Senator John Edwards during a recent debate in which he was asked whether he'd be comfortable if his Grade 2 child was read a homosexual fairy tale about two men kissing and "living happily ever after."

Edwards responded that he didn't want to "make that decision on behalf of my children. I want my children to be able to make that decision on behalf of themselves."

He continued. "Nobody made me God. I don't get to impose on them what it is that I believe is right."

The other Democratic candidates agreed with him.

While this might represent the extreme edge of a problem facing many young people, Edwards's response is indicative. As Pope Benedict is noting, the signs of the times indicate a major problem confronting young people, who are so often affluent in many ways and yet are being done an immense disservice in other critical areas.

The Pope is drawing the world's attention to the 2009 meeting of Christian families in Mexico. That meeting, he said in a letter to the Pontifical Council for the Family, is aimed at encouraging Christian households in the formation of "a right moral conscience that, strengthened by the grace of God, helps in the faithful following of His will."

The Pope said that families, as domestic churches, are called to form new generations in human and Christian values so that "orienting their lives according to the model of Christ, they forge in themselves harmonious personalities."

We are blessed in this diocese and this country to have wonderful opportunities for growth abounding. The archdiocesan synod and its call for evangelization, especially in families, is being implemented. A Eucharistic Congress will take place next year in Quebec City, and Cardinal Marc Ouellet has been emphasizing the importance of Eucharist and the family.

At last week's annual meeting of the Canadian bishops in Cornwall, Ont., religion sociologist Reginald Bibby said if the Catholic Church offered better ministry to families, baptized Catholics who no longer attend church would come back.

"If you want to touch people's lives, touch their families," said Bibby, who although not Catholic, clearly knows the importance of faith to families and young people.

It should be apparent that what young people are facing these days is a travesty.

First, considering the world's negative attitude toward fertility, children can count themselves fortunate to have even been conceived.

Then, with the ease of access to abortion and growing tolerance for lethal solutions to undesirable genetic testing results, they are lucky to be born.

Next, with in-vitro fertilization using anonymous eggs and sperm, some young people don't even have a genetic birthright.

With cloning around the corner, they might even consider themselves blessed to have a unique human identity.

The obstacles don't disappear at birth. Many are welcomed into deliberately limited families and denied siblings. Then, with the propensity for divorce and common-law relationships, they can be fortunate to have a mother and a father, let alone married parents.

The biggest threat, however, is to their souls, thanks to the world's propensity for imposing its attitudes upon children, particularly if parents don't try to prevent it.

This is why the Pope is calling on parents to make a special effort to raise their children with a conscience.

John Edwards is correct that nobody made parents God, but God made parents, and He made them for their children.