Posted on 02/23/2007 2:12:04 PM PST by NYer
It may still be news to some people, but, indeed, bishops read the news, and watch it, and digest it as much as -- if not more than -- the rest of us do. And for anyone whose daily diet involves even a pinch of CNN, FOX, MSNBC or practically any newspaper here in the States, it's been near-impossible to get away from the news-channels' latest free-for-all: the death at 39 of the model/reality TV star/former Playmate Anna Nicole Smith two weeks back.
You shouldn't be shocked to hear that the Anna Nicole story's being watched with more interest by more of our people than, say, the wave of parish closings and reconfigurations sweeping the East Coast. (Given the way some of the latter have panned out, however, it's up for grabs as to which has become more of a circus.) And not a few would see the former's developments, like a family fight over Smith's burial spot, warring claims over the paternity of her newborn daughter, and her history of revolving-door relationships and drug abuse, as a bit of a third rail.
In light of all that, there's really been no ecclesiastical engagement of the story... that is, until now.
Writing yesterday in his weekly diocesan-paper column, Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison connected the lessons of Anna Nicole's life and death with the wisdom of Tradition and the observance of Lent.
The effort alone is worth a bounty of bonus-points. Here's a snip:
During these days I am praying frequently for the repose of the soul of Anna Nicole Smith and I don't mean in any way to judge her - I do feel sorry and pray for her. But in her tragic life, the marriage bond has been tinkered with repeatedly, in terms of multiple partnerships and lately a quasi-marriage. The result is that her new-born baby could have one of six natural fathers; the rights of next of kin in this case will have to be determined by the courts. There will be custody battles among the candidates for natural father who are still alive, regardless of the identity of the natural father, and the connection between the new-born baby and almost a half-billion dollars from the estate of the deceased husband of Anna Nicole, all of these are in the legal mix.Some might remember that Morlino -- a onetime Jesuit -- gave the keynote at last year's National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington.
There is pending litigation about the house in which she lived and even over her human remains, as to funeral arrangements. It has been said that the litigation surrounding her death at this point is going to be the most complex litigation of this sort in all of history. It will take many years, and it will cost millions of dollars.
When the state does not protect and reinforce the marriage bond and the true definition of marriage, everything is left to the courts and there is a lot of money to be made. The civil law was meant to reflect the law of reason - the natural law - and when it doesn't, there can result profound excesses in the litigation sphere as is evident here. When civil law opened the door to no-fault divorce and in-vitro fertilization, civil law started down the slippery slope that led us to the present moment.
Tinkering with the marriage bond and with the definition of marriage empowers the courts to usurp decisions that belong to the traditional family and affords great wealth to eager litigators. The natural law is the guide both to freedom and to conscience in these very sensitive matters. I will try to write more about the natural law during this holy season, because the education and formation of human freedom and of human conscience depend very much on a correct understanding of the natural law.
Of course all the education in the world does not give us a heart rooted in Christ. Prayer, along with works of penance and charity, form the core of our Lenten observance. When we receive ashes, and I am always thrilled at the number of people who want to participate in this beautiful rite of the Church, we are telling the Lord, we are telling the faith community by this public gesture, and we are telling ourselves that our Lenten observance will include more prayer, more works of penance, and more works of charity.
1Cr 3:11 For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Cr 3:12 Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw--
1Cr 3:13 each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
1Cr 3:14 If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
1Cr 3:15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
You and me both. What a story her life was.
Better to not judge the state of a person's soul, pray out of the generousity of spirit and forgiveness that Jesus encouraged in us and let God do the judging of the soul of a departed one than to find out you failed to do the right thing by being too hard nosed about it here in life.
Christians, especially all the ancient churches, have been praying for the dead since someone thought to write about it, and the Jewish people did, too, and still do.
As a catholic, I feel it is one of the works of mercy to pray for both the living and the dead. Prayer is never wasted. God will use it how he sees fit. My job is to be merciful, as the Father is merciful to both the holy and the selfish and sinful.
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of your mercy. Amen.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, please offer to the Eternal Father, the most precious blood of Lord Jesus Christ, for the conversion of sinners, the salvation of the dying and the holy souls in purgatory, and (add your petition here).
This is becoming one of my most favorite prayers.
To those of the non-Catholic faith, ... please do not address my post and tell me that I can pray straight to Jesus. Please respect my beliefs.
Thank you for your consideration.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.