Dear Parishioners,

Pope Francis is often criticized for what he says and even more for what he refuses to clarify. Sometimes this is fair and other times, he is obviously joking or just being taken out of context. So, I would like to take a moment in this bulletin to compliment the Holy Father on the recent document released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith.

The document is called “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity. This document bases Christian morality on the idea of the infinite dignity that every human being possesses. After explaining the basis of this dignity and how it is based on divine revelation (and philosophy), the document then talks about how this concept developed. This dignity is the basis of human rights and duties and why we respect all human beings.

The document then lists and specifically critiques many grave violations affecting the world today. First it criticizes systematic poverty, then war, then victimized migrants, human trafficking, sexual abuse and violence against women. The document then speaks on more controversial issues that affect the modern world that are not often seen as abuses against dignity. These include abortion, surrogacy, euthanasia, marginalization of people with disabilities, gender theory, sex change and digital violence. While I would love to go into each of these topics and explain why each of them are a violation of human dignity, I do not have enough space to do so. So, I will have to dedicate future articles about these topics.

Overall, though, I think this is a wonderful way to engage with people who disagree with the Church on issues they disagree with. Often the Church and those who believe in what the Church teaches are portrayed as being uncaring to the plight of others and that we are against people who disagree with us. This is especially true if someone ties their identity to false and harmful theories of how to live. So, it is important when engaging with others to base what we believe on something positive. We are not against X (and you can insert any controversial subject here) just because I think X is wrong. We are against X because X violates the dignity of the human person. If we frame these issues in those terms, it is obvious why it is important for the Church to engage people about them.

Again, I will get into details about several of these issues in future articles. Until then, you may read the document yourselves and please let me know what you think.

God bless! and Thanks to Pope Francis for producing this document.

Fr. Carter