The new Italian premier concluded her speech with these words: The day our government took its oath before the head of state was the liturgical memorial of John Paul II, a pontiff, a statesman, a saint whom I had the honor of knowing personally. He taught me something fundamental that I have always treasured. ‘Freedom,’ he used to say, “does not consist in doing what we please, but in having the right to do what must be done.” I have always been a free person, I will always be a free person, and for this reason I intend to do precisely what I must do.
Our friends at Focus on the Family have compiled a list of resources for Christians dealing with the complex issues of sexual identity. One of their best tools is “A Biblical Perspective on Transgender Identity: A Primer for Parents and Strugglers.” It walks through ways parents can help kids navigate sexual identity well: by encouraging openness and creating a safe place for sharing their feelings, teaching them about the importance and God-given design of our bodies, and being willing to prioritize honoring God, over and above human influences. Those who struggle with dysphoria need a wider community to support and help them. Specifically, they need a Church unafraid to love them and speak truth to them. Today, groups like Focus on the Family and the Restored Hope Network help connect Christians with a whole network of biblically focused counselors to seek help for a range of mental and sexual questions. Stories like Chloe’s teach us that there is hope, and that speaking up requires courage.
For nearly two years, the Biden administration has put on full display its lamentable disregard for the sanctity of human life, human sexuality and religious freedom. One of the most disturbing examples has been the apparent recent weaponization of the Department of Justice in support of the administration’s pro-abortion agenda.
And so forgive me this impassioned plea: get your kids to Mass! The Devil does not take a day off. Satan is all in when it comes to indoctrination. His minions are aggressively fighting in all facets of our society to steal our children’s minds, souls, and sanity. They stop at nothing. We would do well to take a page from their book and resurrect such passion in ourselves.
Is there any hope in all this? Certainly. But along with hope, there must be recognition that, in Ratzinger’s words, “it will be hard going for the Church.” In a forthcoming book, written in collaboration with my friend David Byers, I argue that much of the burden of sustaining American Catholicism in the years ahead will inevitably rest on lay shoulders.
We need Christianity to take its rightful place in society and for souls to come to Christ. Nothing is neutral, who is going to be in control? It's good vs. evil.