Yesterday in the mail I received my monthly newsletter from Focus on the Family. This issue was devoted to the horror of abortion. At the very end, an article was included written by Frank Pastore talking about Pope Benedict’s recent statement defending the decision of Mexican church leaders to deny communion to those politicians who voted to legalize abortion, rather than defending the unborn. I’ve copied it at the end.

When I read the Pope’s statement, it was said with such clarity and graciousness. Very telling to me what kind of a man he is, and what kind of leader he is for Christ’s Church. I am so thankful to have been led to the Catholic church. This is what I’ve been searching for. The House of God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth (2 Timothy 3:15). A solid rock foundation that doesn’t get tossed around with the changing winds of culture. We don’t have to wonder if abortion is right or wrong, the Church has it figured out already. I can now rest in that foundation knowing that 2000 years have been devoted to wrestling it out, as well as many other faith and moral issues, and that this Church and Pope is being guided by the Holy Spirit.

The beauty of this to me is that instead of me always trying to figure out the basics of my faith, and what does this passage of Scripture mean, etc. I can now move on to a deeper faith spent in more prayer and contemplation instead of so much study. I’m thankful for my years of Bible study, and I will continue to read my Bible and meditate on the Word and let Him speak to me through His Word. But I don’t feel burdened to rely on my own intellectual understanding (or lack thereof) of the Scriptures in order to be a Christian. It is like when Peter said in 2 Peter 3:15-16 ,

And consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, also wrote to you, speaking of these things, as he does in all his letters. In them there are some things hard to understand that the ignorant and unstable distort to their own destruction, just as they do the other scriptures.

I know that I am ignorant in Greek and Hebrew and many other things required to aid me in understanding the Sacred Scriptures, nor did I attend seminary school (and even if I did, it would be important which one because in the Protestant land, they are not in agreement). For that I/we need the Church’s Teaching when it comes to matters of morals and faith. The Church that is the foundation and pillar of Truth. The One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Is abortion murder or not? The Church is very clear on this. There is no grey area. Praise the Lord.

Here is the article. It is not up on FOF’s website yet so I can’t post a link.

Where Are the Protestant Benedicts?

by Frank Pastore

After hearing so many of our politicians try to deftly finesse and coyly nuance themselves into so many murky, equivocal shades of grey, wasn’t it great to hear a man of principle and conviction speak last week with clarity on a moral issue of great importance to so many people?

While aboard the papal plane in route to Brazil, Pope Benedict was asked about the Mexican bishops who were threatening to excommunicate the Catholic politicians who voted in favor of legalizing abortion in Mexico City.

Benedict said, “Yes, this excommunication was not an arbitrary one but is allowed by Canon Law which says that the killing of an innocent child is incompatible with receiving communion, which is receiving the body of Christ….They (Mexican church leaders) did nothing new, surprising or arbitrary. They simply announced publicly what is contained in the law of the church…Which expresses our appreciation for life and that human individuality, human personality is present from the first moment (of life).”

He said those who vote in favor of abortion have, “doubts about the value of life and the beauty of life and even a doubt about the future….Selfishness and fear are at the roof of (pro-abortion) legislation…We in the church have a great struggle to defend life…Life is a gift, not a threat.

Pope Benedict, God bless him, drew a line in the sand on abortion.

How refreshing to hear a Christian leader do so.

According to the Pope, Catholic politicians who vote in favor of abortion should not receive communion and they risk excommunication from the Church. According to Church law, anyone who knowingly commits or allows a grave sin, such as abortion inflicts “automatic excommunication” upon themselves.

I’d love to hear some Protestant Benedicts speak with such clarity.

But, where are the pulpits of men with conviction and principal eager to take politically incorrect stands?

Where are those men with chests who fear God more than men?

Where are those pastors who care more about their faithfulness to the biblical text than they do about filling their pews and their next building program?

Where are the denominations that still care about such things?

Who are the radio and television ministries who regularly address such things?

They are so rare.

Which is why I am so proud of Pope Benedict and the Catholic church, even though I’m not Catholic.