Resent Or Repent?
By Lisa Fabrizio
March 15, 2007
Page 2 of 2
Indeed it did not, as Fr. Euteneuer tried to explain, but Hannity, avoiding the actual subject, then launched into a superfluous tirade on the Church's "corruption" and "sex scandal." He delivered a lecture ending with a cryptic comment along the lines that the priest should feel lucky that the Church still had worshippers; which was for this Catholic, clearly the most offensive part of the segment. As if there should be a quid pro quo between them and Mother Church or that the Bride of Christ must bargain with them for their faith.
As bad as Fr. Euteneuer's charge of heresy may have stung, Hannity's response was no less scathing and frankly quite disturbing. One is not accustomed to hearing a self-professed "devout Catholic" address a member of the clergy--albeit one who was attempting to correct a grievous moral error--in such an angry and disrespectful manner. Yet, at no time did Fr. Euteneuer raise his voice or lose his temper.
But not only would Hannity not admit that his stance was tantamount to scandal, he then sought to correct the good father by suggesting: "Actually if you want to get technical here the Catholic Church does support a form of birth control, a natural method of birth control, is that not correct sir?"
Things then got ugly as Fr. Euteneuer questioned the depth of Hannity's understanding of the issues as he tried to explain the difference between the Church's teaching on Natural Family Planning, which is open to life, and artificial birth control which is most decidedly not.
Had he had the opportunity, he might have quoted official doctrine: "The Church also has affirmed the illicitness of contraception... because every marital act (is) intentionally rendered unfruitful." (web site) One cannot, no matter how they twist it, say the same of what the Church calls, "periodic continence." (web site)
Once again, this introduction of the actual subject of Euteneuer's accusation was met with a harangue on the woes of the Church, this time suggesting that those who disdain both abortion and artificial birth control are not facing "reality." As Sean Hannity must surely know, the sad realities of this life and the way in which we must overcome them are the reasons our Savior established His Church on Earth.
The narrow gate spoken of by our Lord grows harder to enter as years go by, yet practicing Catholics believe that walking in total faith with Mother Church is their best chance. Why? Because regardless of the sins of the mortal men who have represented her throughout the centuries, the gates of Hell shall not prevail against her.
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Lisa Fabrizio is a columnist who hails from Connecticut. You may write her at mailbox@lisafab.com.
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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