Posted on 10/08/2014 6:22:14 PM PDT by marshmallow
And so, now the synod settles into the real work. But what is that work? One of the prominent stories to have come out of yesterday’s session (Tuesday) was that Jeff and Alice Heinzen, an American couple from La Crosse, Wisconsin, married for thirty-four years, told the pope and bishops that the Church is failing to deal with the collapse of the traditional family.
Now, it’s news that a lay couple said this in a synod; but it’s hardly news to anyone, Catholic or not, that the family is in crisis, multiple crises. Or that the Church has failed to deal with it. Nor is this much of a criticism, since no one else – in academia, government, the media, the self-important international agencies – though they talk a lot, much knows what to do about the dissolution of so fundamental a human institution, on which much of what is good in human societies depends. Still, there are some known remedies, of which more below.
Under the news restrictions the Vatican has imposed, it’s difficult to get a full sense of the shape of the follow-on discussion. It was good what the Heinzens put on the table: the alarming decline in the sheer numbers of marriages, Catholic or not; the increase in cohabitation; the high (though, I’d add, now somewhat stabilized) divorce rates. And it seems that they then encouraged a vigorous expansion of Church programs to address each of the problems.
But anyone who has been engaged in domestic policy debates, in America or other developed countries, will immediately wonder what real solutions might be, if not to begin by saying – and saying vigorously – such breakdowns are not merely personal choices, or things that “happen” to certain couples, but are signs of real social evils.
Catholic self-flagellation.....
(Excerpt) Read more at thecatholicthing.org ...
Facts:
They’ve been married 34 years.
They teach “natural” family planning.
They only have three children.
They only have three grandchildren.
The Pope chose this “natural” couple to preach at the Synod.
Your speculation comes very close to gossip and is very uncharitable.
Stating facts about this couple which are offered on Our Sunday Visitor is neither speculation nor gossip.
As far as uncharitable, it can’t get much worse than avoiding bringing children into the world.
And to think the Pope called this couple to speak about the “collapse of the traditional family”.
Nothing wrong with offering facts what is wrong is stating that these facts must be so because they are in disobedience to Church teaching. You cannot know that. But there are reasons besides contraceptive use that a couple may only have a smaller family. Neither you or I have any idea of those reasons as they are sure to be a private matter.
I never said anyone was disobedient. It appears you are the one who thinks she can read minds.
Just the facts, Mam. Just the facts.
You certainly implied it and that is what I inferred from your post. I do have severe reservations about the direction the synod seems to be taking. The disobedience and rancor from of the Bishops is troubling but alas not new. I hate, hate having this feeling of distrust towards Pope Francis and I continue to put my faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit to see the Church through which will certainly be a dark time.
I don't care for the couple at all, but you don't know what's going on in their private lives.
You’re not me; but you’re free to asks the AM whatever you want.
Go for it! Others have.
They have chosen to make their lives public:
Am I wrong in assuming that you got your facts about this couple’s adherence or lack of adherence to “natural” family planning or whatever context you meant by “natural” from the article you linked?
Please tell me what part of the interview made you privy to the state of their marital union and the reasons why they had three children instead of whatever number you deem correct for Catholics?
Do not EVER accuse another Freeper of a legal wrong.
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