The Oxford English Dictionary defines subsidiarity as the idea that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks that cannot be performed effectively at a more immediate or local level. Geriatrician Austin Welsh tells us that Pope Benedict XVI mentions “subsidiarity” in his recent encyclical a dozen times (11/18, Opinion, “As I See It”).
In Chapter 7 of Matthew, we are told, “Why behold the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the beam in your own?” Scripture reminds each and every one of us that we are created in God’s image and likeness. I ask Mr. Welsh: Is there a more top-down, hierarchal, dogmatic authority on the planet than the Catholic Church? Does not every woman have the right to seek the counsel of her God, her partner, her pastor or priest, and her physician to decide, given reasonable restrictions, if she should give birth to another human being?
Jack Whitaker
Leawood
You're absolutely right, Jack. In (almost your own words) "Does not every woman have the right to seek the counsel of her God, her partner, her pastor or priest, and her physician to decide, given reasonable restrictions, if she should" kill another human being?
I don't understand. Don't you people get it? Why is it okay to kill a person? Just because they happen to be in somebody else's womb?
Posted by: MrRobinson | November 25, 2009 at 08:42 PM
I guess Jack doesn't think that Scripture includes those in the womb as being part of humanity created in God's image and likeness. Jack, at what point does a child in the womb become the image and likeness of God? Oh really.
And Jack, do you even know what the issue is? It's about our tax money funding abortions in the sham Dem health care proposals. So I guess you think that those of us who consider abortion to be murder should have to pay for abortions. Should the Catholic Church have spoken out on the issue of slavery and other racism or on murder outside the womb?
So I guess Catholic teaching should be whatever one wants it to be. If not, who should decide what Catholic teaching should be? Should it be by popular vote?
Before 1973, states decided the legality of abortions. The Supreme Court then came in and decided that abortion should be legal in all states. Just who is violating the the teaching of subsidiarity?
The Catholic teaching of subsidiarity has to do with the best way for society to function. As others have said Jack, if you don't like the Catholic Church, then don't be a part of it.
I guess the Star didn't get many negative responses to Austin Welsh's letter if they deemed this one worth printing. Trying to use the Catholic Church's teaching on abortion to criticize the church's teaching on susidiarity is a sign of desperation.
Don't tell me Jack, you are one of those disgruntled "Catholics" who think that the National Catholic Reporter is actually Catholic. Thankyou.
Mark Robertson
Independence
Posted by: Mark Robertson | November 25, 2009 at 01:26 PM
What about us guys? What rights do we have?
Posted by: NoMoreMrNiceGuy | November 25, 2009 at 08:38 AM
I have said it before Jack, and I will say it again. "If you don't like the club by-laws, get out of the club." Is that too difficult to understand?
Posted by: Kee | November 25, 2009 at 08:06 AM