Pastor Fail 2.0

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Our Lady of Fatima Parish - Michigan Center, MI - Fr. Jeffrey Robideau, Pastor
My Opinion - in case you wanted to know

My Opinion on
The Health Care Bill and Socialism
5-19-2010

My own Bishop, Most Rev. Earl Boyea, sent a letter to many people in this diocese on Health Care. It was actually written by the MCC, a political arm of the Bishops in Michigan. On the back were quotes from Popes, Documents and the Catechism where they state the many natural basic rights each human has endowed by God. It also refers to our social dimension. Certainly God made us to be social beings and so the common good needs to come into play as well.

In listing the points MCC quotes, I will try to divide them into the human rights that an individual has and the more social rights that a society (corporate man) has.

Human rights listed are: life, food, clothing, shelter, rest, education, the right to establish a family, medical care, work, transportation, freedom of communication and expression, information and protection of religious freedom

Social rights listed are: the organization of the State’s powers, a sound juridical system, the protection of the environment, commitment to peace, necessary social services and essential services and access to culture.

Now I do not know if I have these all in the right category, nor do I know if both categories are of the same dignity, but I will say both are important and I would not want to be deprived of any of these rights.

My problem is this. Throughout the debate on healthcare, I heard little to nothing from the Bishops about socialism. I heard a lot about the immigrants and abortion problems with the bill. The problem is even if Washington corrected these problems, the health care bill still could not be accepted by the Church because it is still socialism. Socialism is defined by the Church as being intrinsic evil and so never morally allowed. This is not a political issue for us, but a moral issue. The Bishops had the right to speak out and they did nothing. They cowered behind 501c(3).

Yes, these rights listed are rights, but what does that mean? Scripture speaks of at least one of these rights when it says, “Let him who does not work not eat.” This assumes an able body capable of work. In other words, one must secure his rights through morally acceptable means. For this reason, a man has the human right to work and make money so as to secure his other rights.

For those unable to work, Scripture speaks of charity not taxes. Helping neighbor through taxes is not charity. It is not a free gift to help, but is taken form us at a much higher rate than if we helped the person ourselves. Scripture also talks about the widow and the orphan and our duty, to help them. As for the Good Samaritan, he freely gave medical attention to that man, no one taxed him.

What of taxes too? Give unto Caesar, yes. This is part of being a society and so taxes are a good thing. But taxes are different here then that referred to by Jesus. Caesar controlled everything, he was a god, and so the money bore his inscription. In the United States, the people own the country, it is our money, not the government’s. Even the government belongs to us and it is to serve us. One of the good things about our government is that it is a republic and not a democracy. This way Washington is able to make decision that we the people do not like but is what is best. This assumes that they are not going to do what is evil, like not follow the Constitution and take us toward socialism.

We are not talking about a law that governs what side of the street we drive on. Left, right, I don’t care. It does not affect my faith. It is good government to pick a side for the good of the society and our ability to get from point A to point B safely.

The health care bill and how it is funded is different than the question of what side of the street to drive. This law touches upon very religious concerns. And as we know the government is not allowed to impose a religion on us. They are trying to impose secular humanism on us.

What is just is that all should have ACCESS to health care. In other words, if one has the means to obtain health care then they should not be denied health care (no discrimination).

The Church says that other things are rights, like housing. Are we to give everyone a house? Transportation is a right, do we give everyone a new car? You see the slippery slope to full-scale socialism.

I put the call out for all Christians to seek justice, but a responsible justice where each is required to do his part to obtain his rights. And then let charity reign in each of our hearts to care locally and personally for those in need. This is a Capitalism at it’s best. And by the way – the Church has said that there is nothing immoral about capitalism, but only gives the caution to be responsible and charitable.

(thanks to Hallie B.)