About being a Catholic

My dear Friends

Being a Catholic is always challenging. Having now been in the Church for 20 years, I can honestly say that. It informs every fibre of your being and on every level: emotional, intellectual and spiritual. You might say that you can tell I'm a Catholic by the way I think and feel.

That's why the Pope's message about contraception is a challenge too. Firstly, a little about his role-he is the spiritual leader of a vast Church, comprising billions of Catholics round the world. He has a duty primarily to serve them in his role as Vicar of Christ on earth and to spread the message of peace, love and joy that we hear in the Gospel. I emphasise that he is the head of a spiritual hierarchy, with Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and lay (ordinary) people who together make up the Body of Christ with our fellow baptised Christians from other churches.

The Church is always at pains to teach that life is of the essence, and this is what's behind the teaching on contraception. At the same time we know that our sexuality is abused and many are seeking to take what they see as sensible measures to prevent that.

God never takes away our free will, and He delights in an informed conscience. We are expected, as sophisticated human beings, to allow God's grace to work in the ground of our being and in the depths of our conscience. As members of HIs Church we must try to obey our Heavenly Father by listening to His advocates that He has placed on this earth, and to work together for a just society which protects and defends the sanctity of the human person.

One great thing about the Catholic Church is that it has never been afraid to discuss these issues, even while it is difficult to find a resolution.

May God's grace fill our hearts so that the sexuality, that is the integrity of our brothers and sisters may be given its proper loving place in His creation.

Shalom from
Sister Gila