Thunder!

Archbishop John Vlazny of Portland delivers it here!

He begins by noting the orwellian tendency of today's reasonables to engage in double-speak. He protests the loss of common sense and the ascendency of ruthlessness in the guise of freedom. Among his observations:

We live in a world which has embraced the idea of being “pro-choice.” It is the perfect Orwellian expression, one which exemplifies the use of euphemistic language in political discourse that disguises morally unacceptable ideas and actions. “Freedom of choice” seemingly justifies abortion, physician-assisted suicide, same-sex marriage and now research using stem cells taken from living human beings. When the church and other like-minded institutions make an effort in the public forum to protect human life and promote family life, we are largely ignored if not derided. After all, we are suggesting that not every choice is morally justifiable.

He also recognizes the essential political hopelessness of Catholics:

As a people of faith we have a responsibility to highlight the moral dimensions of issues and to participate in the subsequent debate on public policy. The problem is that the debate often becomes partisan and our posture should not be partisan. Because the parties choose sides, we are inappropriately labeled partisan by those who disagree with our stance. Since neither major political party embraces the full gambit of Catholic social teaching, including our church’s consistent ethic of life, the church doesn’t have a home in any party. In some ways this is a blessing because it forces us to move beyond party politics and support matters of public policy according to principle, not party affiliation or self-interest.

Speak on, Bishop! Show your brothers more of this episcopal spine! With the outcry of our shepards at hand, how can the laity fail to rise to the occasion? It's the job of the laity to sanctify the secular, after all.

May we all hear more of the same--from other Archbishops. Soon.