Our
View: Archdioceses decisions not Christian
While many may associate the ideals of Christianity with love, compassion, stewardship
and forgiveness, the recent actions of the Boston Archdioceses have proven those
in power in the Roman Catholic Church
in Boston are not observing these beliefs.
Because of a recent law passed in Massachusetts allowing homosexual couples to
adopt children, the Boston Archdioceses, pressured by the U.S. representative
for the Pope, has decided against renewing its contract with the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, consequently leaving the Department of Social Services and
other governmental agencies the obligation of finding parentless children permanent
homes.
By discontinuing the program, the Archdioceses is depriving many children of
finding kind parents that will care for them. Rather than deny innocent children
the right to a stable and loving home, the church needs to reassess its priorities.
Although the church dogma may disagree with the lifestyles of the potential parents,
the church should incorporate the most prominent teachings in the Bible into
its own actions and steward some of the most innocent and helpless people in
society.
Orphans often face a multitude of difficulties that can taint childhood memories
and affect the attitudes and beliefs established early in life.
Churches and other organizations have the opportunity to provide a safe and positive
environment to help children cope with the difficulties of not having parents
and provide
orphans with spiritual nourishment and guidance.
Also, the number of truly loving couples that want to adopt are few. Too often
children are placed in homes not suited to meet the child’s needs.
Rather than limit the number of possible parents strictly to those in heterosexual
relationships, the church should recognize many homosexual couples can provide
children with the loving, supportive atmosphere necessary for any child to flourish.
These
couples cannot have children of their own to give this love to.
One of the most prevailing virtues in the Bible is that of unconditional love.
Much of Christianity is based on this belief.
Denying homosexual people the opportunity to share their lives with children
on the basis of their sexual orientation is not love. Instead of focusing its
actions on discriminating against perceived sinners, the Roman Catholic Church
should realize that if it is to be an instrument carrying out God’s message,
it should first incorporate the most powerful and prevalent ideals of its dogma
into its own actions.
Instead of upholding the pillars of Christianity, the Boston Archdioceses has
undermined the very principles upon which it was founded and has incorporated
the detested Christian sin — hate. Church is supposed to be a place of
refuge and spiritual rejuvenation, not discrimination and hate.
In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul wrote letters to the Christian churches at
the time advising them in their actions. He taught the churches that, “Who
comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which
are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth
in Christ.”
Many Christian churches have sought to follow the lessons of Paul. The Boston
Archdioceses should follow suit and provide services that bring joy and comfort
to the lives of others.
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