Jesus taught in truth and lived out of love – period – because he is love.
It is out of love and concern for the soul of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and those of the same mindset, that I write this column.
Jesus was the most radical defender of God’s Law who ever lived. He never minced words, but clarified misinterpretations and misunderstandings. He never watered-down the truth for fear of “offending,” but spoke bluntly to Scribes and Pharisees, calling them hypocrites, whitewashed tombs and a “brood of vipers.” He observed that they were “full of the bones of the dead and every kind of corruption.”
Jesus spoke only the truth, with the aim of sanctifying his listeners.
As a baptized Catholic, I am bound to clarify the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of Church teaching concerning civil servants who identify as Catholic, present themselves to receive Holy Communion, and yet continue to engage in grave public sin by legislating laws in support of murdering the unborn.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly teaches that all human life comes from God and must be protected.
“Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”
“The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation: “The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority…. Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard every human being’s right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death.” Donum vitae III.
Unfortunately, few Catholic clergy take the firm and truly loving step to admonish the sinner even though Church law (Canon 898) explains that pastors have the responsibility to “teach the faithful diligently” regarding the reception of Holy Communion. The Church desires that every Catholic receive the Eucharist regularly, so long as they are in a state of grace. Withholding the Sacrament is never the first resort, but as San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said, “When other avenues are exhausted, the only recourse a pastor has left is the public medicine of temporary exclusion from the Lord’s Table…. This is a bitter medicine, but the gravity of the evil of abortion warrants it.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski continues to position herself against Christ and his Church by repeatedly voting in favor of legislation that promotes, ensures, and funds the murder of innocent, unborn babies. She publicly states she will always support a “woman’s right to choose” and will not stop her forward momentum in support of abortion. You can find her voting record here.
We must pray for the sanctity of life, the unborn, and an end to abortion.
Abortion is the most grievous moral sin afflicting our world today. For this reason, every Catholic – lay, religious and ordained has a moral obligation and a human right to speak against such atrocities.
No excuse is compelling enough to remain silent.
I have personally heard Catholics make excuses regarding Murkowski, saying they cannot know for sure whether she has privately confessed her sins. The fact that she persists in voting for abortion, is evidence of her desire to continue perpetuating this evil.
Even if Murkowski has confessed her sins privately, church law is very clear about those who exercise some form of public authority. They have “a special responsibility to form their consciences in accord with the Church’s faith and the moral law, and to serve the human family by upholding human life and dignity.”
The church’s law (Canon 959) goes on to say that people who confess their sins must be “sorry for them and intend to reform themselves.” Canon 987 illuminates this further stating, “To receive salvific remedy of the Sacrament of Penance, a member of the Christian faithful must be disposed in such a way that, rejecting sins committed and having a purpose of amendment, the person is turned back to God.”
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
A Catholic cannot simply take off their Catholicism, any more than they can remove the skin from their body. To be Catholic, is not a way of life, it IS our life.
If we, in any way, stay silent on this grave sin, we are complicit in it.
We must pray for the sanctity of life, the unborn, and an end to abortion.
We must pray for the conversion of Senator Murkowski, and all those who do not believe in the sanctity of life from the moment of conception to natural death.
Humanity must stop the barbaric act of dismembering tiny humans in the womb. We are obligated to do what is commanded by God’s law: “Thou shall NOT kill!”
And we do well to recall the words of John Stuart Mill: “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
The views expressed here are those of the author.
29 Comments
Great piece, to the point, someone please send this to the Pope. I’d like to add that, aside from only Catholics, we all as humans, have a moral obligation to speak against abortion as well. Blessings to you deacon Martinez.
Alas, NOTHING fails as reliably as prayer. It simply, logically cannot succeed.
Like I’ve said before to you Mr Gunter. God gave you and others the free will to make your choice.
Now you choose Heaven or Hell.
And I’ve asked why a loving god would sentence me to hell.
And nothing is so banal as a proselytizing Atheist Religionist.
Gunter:. God does not send anyone to hell! If you end up there it is, by your own choice. God’s will is that you seek Him and be saved. He loves you enough to send His only Son to die for you
In response to Mary below: So if I do not believe in the christian god, I am going to hell? Cuz I’m an atheist? Geez, god is not nice. And what about the Muslims, are all of them going to hell too? I would think that when I die and your god proves his existence, he would say, “I told you so”, put his arm around my shoulder and welcome me to heaven. THAT would be cool!
Thank you, Deacon Martinez. Not enough can be said about those who without conscience continue to be unfeelilng about the killing of unborn babies. Biology confirms the beginning of life in the womb through photos. Philosophy confirms the irrational arguments for abortion over all other life. We are under a curse unless we repent and ask for forgiveness as individuals, as powerful legislators in our nation. Pray to end abortion in Alaska and pray to end the evil that is continuing through the Alaskan courts. Pray for a change in those in power who willfully do not honor God our Creator and His Creation. Jesus is the Truth and the Truth is that we are each made in the image of God and not intended to be murdered before birth.
When you go to the polls in November, remember Lisa is EVIL.
Thank you for revealing Murky as a CINO
Catholic In Name Only. Most of us who follow politics have long known of our senior Senator’s duplicity on her Uber Radicle Pro Death stance and attending
Mass on Sunday. To my knowledge only one Priest refused communion to Murkowski in Anchorage. That Priest was quickly shipped out of Anchorage to the hinterlands.
The good thing about a Deacon in the Catholic Church is that they are “Topped Out”.
No further upward mobility within the Church.
Therefore they have the courage to speak the truth.
Well said Deacon Dez, May God bless you for your courage and faithfulness. You will find no shame when you stand in judgement before Our Lord. Today the words of Our Lord are yours. “Well done my good and faithful servant”
Thank you for clarity and intent. To save her soul…… she needs to be held accountable. To shepherd the flock …..clerics need to speak the truth in love and ask the layity to join in prayer for conversion. Well done. Asking our Lord to protect you with the blood of Christ!! May the blood of Christ save you.
Thank you Deacon for standing up as all Catholics should. I’m so tired of the rampant political hypocrisy. Lisa needs to go away. The truth will set you free.
Murkowski words and. actions have assisted in the murder of 63 million GOD sent souls… she is of satan.
Don’t vote for Lisa!!! Make sure the candidate you vote for is against abortion!!
May God Bless you, Deacon Dez for Courageously speaking the TRUTH about how Souls ( and Lives) are Saved. God’s Mercy is for all of us, we just have to ask for it. We continue to pray for the re-conversion of Sen Murkowski and others like her to the Truth of our Catholic Faith.
Lisa MuRHINOski…
Thank you, Deacon Dez, for speaking the truth in charity! I was very disappointed in the Alaska Conference of Catholic Bishops’ public statement regarding the overturning of Roe. I believe it was written by Murkowski’s cousin, Mary Gore, who works for the Archdiocese of Anchorage and for the ACCB. Surely there’s no conflict of interest to be seen here, folks…
We respect your faithfulness and courage as a Christian and Catholic Church leader to call for accountability in a public persona whose inconsistency and double-standard in their religious profession on display is glaringly obvious. We have to question the “faith of millions” in those Catholic leaders and laity that support her crusade to sanction a curse of death upon innocent millions.
Yes, thank you for your bold response to Lisa, etc. Ezekiel 33 clearly says I’d we do not warn others, their blood will be on our heads. James says the teachers/ leaders will be judged more harshly .
We truly appreciate the courage of Deacon Dez , but I will not be suprised if he’s punished by our Catholic leaders. Lisa holds much power over them. On the other hand, Deacon Dez is being held strong by his faith, knowing that God is blessings his days and heaven’s gate will be opened wide for him.
Come on, Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau. Shoulders back, stand up straight and dump Lisa. She is an embarrassment to any God loving and God fearing Catholic. Time for her to retire and to get her soul right with the Almighty. Salvation is still possible!
Lisa Murkowski enjoys the covert support of our Bishop Bellisario and her cousin who works for him, Mary Gore. Exchanging the lives of babies for government grants and a pass on clerical sexual abuse shows a stunning level of moral corruption. Sadly Deacon Dez will pay dearly for this courageous article.
Sin, Crime and Corruption have Consequences! Thank you for your courage Deacon Dez for saying what needs to be said, and Gaundi too! Lisa Murkowski Must Go!!!
God bless you, Deacon Dez! Stay strong in the Spirit!
Ad majorem Dei gloriam
Thank you, Deacon Dez. I will pray for you as you face the backlash of your courage.
Deacon Dez will join a long list of modern, unbloody martyrs for the faith, locally and world-wide. Although the usual use of the word means suffering death, a “martyr” is someone who gives witness and suffers some sort of painful consequence: ostracism, exile, imprisonment, torture. For non-Catholics, we see our bishops as Successors to the Apostles and as our shepherds. They are meant to be the First Defense against the Wolves. In the 2,000 year history of the Church, however, many have proven to be traitors, hirelings and wolves-in-shepherds-clothing. We can name names, starting with Judas. So even Jesus Himself demonstrated that we would have to face this type of back-stabbing. Fortunately, they cannot control who might repent and convert (as in Peter), so while they are sinful men (like us all), their ordinations are valid. Thus, our own sacrifices and prayers can make a difference.
God Bless you, Deacon Dez. Once again you follow the example set by Our Lord by not being afraid to speak the Truth!
Thanks Deacon Dez! Jesus said WE are salt and light which means WE must speak up as well as participate in our community and government UNTIL He comes back. But with the condition of the church at large and the lethargy of many Church go-ers there wont be a rapture any time soon. We as believers may have prayed a lot but not acted a lot.