Deep South Deacon

The principal of subsidiarity is one of the key planks of the platform of Christian Social Teaching. It always has made practical sense to me, even in the days before I was a very interested in God or my faith.  I am ashamed to admit, however, that I have done a poor job of explaining it in the past.

I do not need the federal government to decide which flavor of ice-cream I am going to eat.  As a matter of fact, I do not need anyone but "Me" to decide that.

The social teaching of the Church is based on the human person as the principle, subject and object of every social organization. Subsidiarity is one of the core principles of this teaching. This principle holds that human affairs are best handled at the lowest possible level, closest in every way to the affected persons.

Did you know that the late great Walker Percy was, in addition to a wonderful author, a medical doctor?  Did you know that he was also a secular Oblate of the Benedictine community of St. Joseph's Abbey in Covington, Louisiana? Mr. Percy  made his final oblation on February 16, 1990, less than three months before his death.

He was ardently pro-life, writing this piece entitled "A View of Abortion with Something to Offend Everybody" on June 8, 1981.

People of the opposite sex – living together as if they were married – but without the “formality” of a civil or religious marriage ceremony. It used to be called “shacking up” and had a very shameful and negative connotation.  Now, I suppose, the politically correct term is cohabitation.  It’s not so shameful anymore.  Unfortunately.   It no longer has much of a negative connotation.  Sadly.

This growing trend of co-habitation is bad for society. It is especially bad for women.

I was well aware that this homily would generate some controversy and some misunderstanding. One truism I have found over the past eight years of preaching is that no matter what words come forth from the mouth of the homilist, some folks will hear the message that they want to hear?  I would like to offer some clarifications based on some of the questions and comments that I have received in person, through social media and text message.

The following is a close approximation of the homily  delivered at St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Slidell, LA USA on August 14,2016. This is for the 20th Sunday in ordinary time and is base on the readings that can be found at this link.

During the time of the 3rd Reich, Nazis exterminated 6 million Jews and 6 million others “undesirables”.