Near Yet Far: A Pandemic to Remember

 COVID-19 Pandemic has created havoc globally. There are several studies that have been conducted as relates to the physical and psychological effects of Pandemic. Those effects are devastating and will remain for many years to come. Economic devastation is mindboggling and will take years to recover from this economic fall. Ample ink has been spilled on these topics of immediate concern and hence, states and organizations have come forward to address them with almost hastily. Therefore, I would like to focus our attention on two other aspects of human need and they are social and spiritual effects.

The human need to interact and mingle with others is necessary for our growth and evolution. Peaceful coexistence is possible if all persons engage in proper social contacts. The growth of the child largely depends on the society where children learn the traits of life and besides they gain knowledge from each other's experience. Likewise, adults socialize at work or otherwise which bonds them to live peacefully and hence evolve as whole human beings. Spouses and family members feel the effects of social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus. Family members are skeptical to touch each other which is natural because families want to protect each other. These effects are serious and will have a longlasting impact on individual growth. These impacts also might lead to human disasters such as enmity, quarrels, and alienation of others. Persons treat others with less dignity and respect due to distancing. Touch plays a significant role in the physical and psychological growth of individuals. This basic sense of touch has been curtailed due to the virus. It might take years to break this new normal of untouchability. 

Humans are spirit and body. Spiritual needs of humans fulfill other needs that are tangible. Although spiritual needs are not merely religious based but also inner peace emanating from the conscious. For many person spirituality rooted in religions as an impact on human growth and evolution. Worship places have been shut their doors. Persons have been denied access to their worship places by this deadly virus. Their right to a relationship with God has been trampled and destroyed. This will have effects on families and society. The relationship between God, humans, and the environment has been disturbed and will take years to bring them to perfect unity. The distance has been widening as the COVID virus is taking its toll around the world. Many have lost their loved ones and in retrospect, they have asked questions such as 'where is God?, why God is silent? why is God allowing this? is there, God?' 

In conclusion, I suggest that all of us reflect, ponder, and share our own struggles in fighting this virus. Human growth depends on all aspects such as physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and environmental. As our healthcare workers strive to help in combating this deadly virus, I urge everyone to focus on life and growth holistically. Help those who are struggling with their social and spiritual relationships. It is crucial to focus on these aspects so that humans grow and evolve as a perfect human person. The human being is possible only through a blend of all essential aspects. I appeal to find ways and means to bring this blend and help each other in this noble task. 

Sin in the Church.

It is nauseating to read the Grand Jury report on priests abuse in the State of Pennsylvania yet it is not easy to erase the reality that has long been swept under the carpet with a strategic cover-up by the Church authority. As my Sunday pastor perched today, "secret has made the church sick and enough is enough." The Catholics find themselves in quandary in this whole sage of child molestation in the church. They are so confused about what to say and what to do now. Obviously, every Catholic would stand with the victims but can they condemn their church? 

The grand jury report has enshrined the abuse done by the predator priests graphically. The predator priests who took nude photos of a bit posing as a Christ on the cross. Another predator priest forced a boy to give him oral sex, then washed his mouth with holy water. Another predator priest abused a boy so violently over several years that his back was injured. These are the few evil acts of predator priests out of so many to mention here on this blog. 

The grand jury has brought a huge slap to the church. This slap must have been brought about 3 decades ago. Hence, victims could have brought some sense of justice. 

Three things to note, firstly, the grand jury is strongly condemning the cover-up by the Church while this could have dealt with more efficiently. Most of these cases cannot be prosecuted now because they are beyond the statute of limitations. This means the victims have not been served justice because of the hush up was done by the Church authority. Most cases the predator priests were moved to another place without any alarm. 

Secondly, the revelations have taught us that it's time to speak up and not remain secret. Victims will feel ashamed but it's not their fault. Victims must speak up in due time so that they are safe in the hands of the powerful. If parents see any signs of behavioural changes in your children or they tell you that someone touched them inappropriately, don't shun them to shut up but try to inquire what has happened behind that behaviour. The church also needs to speak up because harbouring and protecting a predator is more dangerous than being shamed for justice. Jesus will appreciate if the evil is reported to the proper authorities. The church does not have trained investigators, hence, hand over the case to the competent authority. 

Thirdly, this is a humanitarian crisis not merely sexual and spiritual crises. Just like, refugee crises, every attention must be given to this. Everyone must get angry but not lose hope. Righteous anger can challenge us not to withdraw but to embrace because the victims need us now more than anyone else. If Catholics run away from the church now it simply gives the impression that we don't want to take responsibility for the acts of the church leaders so we technically remain silent to protect ourselves. Catholics and other faiths must stand together to fight this cancer of abuse in the church and society. There will be fear, anxiety and hopelessness as we follow our faith. But this can be turned around only if we embrace our fear so that courage can be our reward in our faith. 

In conclusion, it important to report of any suspicion of abuse to the competent authority. As the Gospel says, everything hidden in dark will be brought to light. Nothing can be hidden in this world. No place for secrets in this issue. See something, say something, know something, say something. This way we can protect our innocent children from the predators. Let's us learn from this experience of abuse and cover-up that God is speaking that evil cannot be tolerated. God always speaks to about tired but powerful have silenced God's voice of justice. Give God a voice please and don't silence him. 

Abortion: Break Silence for Silent Screams

There is an extraordinary procession of women coming to pay their personal tributes to Savita Halappanavar in Ireland as the abortion referendum has won a loud “Yes” to legalize abortion. Importantly, in every respect abortion cannot be accepted and Irish Constitution under Eighth Amendment guarantees to protect as far as practicable to equal right to life of the unborn and the mother. Then, why did women choose this path of overturning abortion ban? Why have women won today in Ireland? Has the dignity of both women and their unborn children were removed from the Irish Constitution? Can we as persons of integrity remain indifferent at this “Quiet Revolution” as the prime minister of Ireland hailed?

To break the armour, we need to go back to the story of Ms Savita Halappanvar. The story of Ms Halappanavar was in the mainstream media in 2012 when she died on October 28, 2012, at Galway University Hospital, one week after she presented with back pain and was found to be miscarrying her 17th-week pregnancy. Although the pregnancy was not viable, her requests for termination were refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. She contracted sepsis and died of multi-organ failure and septic shock. The enquiry concluded that Ms Halappanavar died because the consultant treating her had been concerned about the legal issues throughout her considerations as to whether terminate the pregnancy. The enquiry also concluded that making abortion illegal serves only to promote illegal abortions. It said, “those women with influence and financial resources will get it performed in a safe environment. Those who are poor with less influence will resort to unsafe methods.”

My views not merely Catholic, in which case I am biased, but I truly believe that no one has a right to meddle with embryo once conceived including the mother. That is my point of departure. The Catechism of Catholic Church compliments my viewpoint. “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.” (CCC 2270) The innocent and vulnerable embryo has its rights as a human person. Its rights must be respected more strongly because it cannot defend its rights. The state must not interfere and dictate the laws of God. It is detrimental to human dignity if the state decides whether a mother must keep the child or terminate, hence bring an end to a human existence. “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. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. 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.” (CCC 2273)

This so-called “Quiet Revolution” has opened a whole new chapter in the human history. Where do we go from here? Is there a way forward? There is a dichotomy at play as regards to abortion and this dichotomy will lead to disasters or life. The state, the church, leaders of various faiths, medical practitioners and human rights must come to the table to address these few significant questions and not remain indifferent. It does not affect us directly, it will affect us as human persons. Every individual must be abortion-minded so that there is mature and reasonable dialogue. It is in dialogue we can arrive a consensus and no decision. The decision lies on the premise that ‘God creates life through parents and every created life has its rights as human person.’ Ireland has taken a path of decision and we are not sure whether the premise still has its say. We prayed for Ireland to not to life abortion ban but the referendum has lifted the abortion ban hence abortion will be legal in Ireland. I urge that Irish leadership now has the duty and commitment to safeguard the sanctity of the womb by enshrining bylaws for abortion with reasonable consideration to human life. Will other nations join this quiet revolution? We must wait and watch what our women have to say about it. Although it concerns everyone, but it has direct physical, psychological and spiritual impact and consequence on women.