An article by Deacon Jim Russell, published in Catholic World Report, made a connection between the severing of sex and procreation with the acceptance of contraception and, eventually, the acceptance of homosexual acts and the homosexual lifestyle. Basically, if sex has nothing to do with procreation, than contraception is acceptable, as are homosexual acts, as is same-sex marriage, etc… The article questioned the innateness of homosexual orientation and the legitimacy of same-sex marriage. Hardly surprising for an article written by a Catholic cleric for a Catholic magazine.

Katherine Asjes is a devout Catholic who holds to the Church’s teaching on contraception, homosexual acts, and same-sex marriage. She posted a comment to Deacon Russell’s article asking for information on the definition of terms and in that comment said, “I completely agree with all you have said here.” That comment cost her a seat on the Iowa Board of Medicine, which overseas public health, safety, and welfare by regulating physicians, surgeons, osteopathic physicians, and licensed acupuncturists. Nominated by Gov. Kim Reynolds, Asjes nomination was rejected by the Iowa state Senate when all 18 members of the Senate voted against her. Those who spoke about it said their concerns were that Asjes would not be objective in her care for the health of all Iowans. Though the origins of a homosexual orientation are far from settled biologically or psychologically, and marriage was defined by both Western and Eastern civilizations as a union between men and women for all time until a few years ago, Ms. Asjes’ views are, apparently, so outrageous that the thought of her sitting on a board whose mission is to safeguard public health was untenable.

The message is clear: if you are a Catholic who adheres to the doctrines of the Catholic Church, and if you are a person who adheres to the biology and psychology of homosexual orientation as it currently stands, and to the definition of marriage held by everyone in the civilized world until a few years ago, then you are unfit for public office. In 2003, William Pryor’s nomination for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals was held up by Senators opposed to his nomination because Sen. Charles Schumer was concerned that Pryor’s “deeply held beliefs” would make it difficult for him to be impartial. Pryor is a Catholic. Last year the objectivity of Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s nomination for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, was challenged on the basis of her Catholic faith. “The dogma lives loudly within you,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein said. Both Judge Pryor and Judge Barrett were eventually confirmed by a Republican majority Senate. Ms. Asjes required the votes of Democrats and Republicans to gain the two-thirds majority required to confirm her nomination. All Democrats voted against her.

Reality has been cast aside. What matters now is what we are supposed to think, what society and the government tell us we must think. This bodes ill for society and government, because it will ultimately mean that the only people in positions of leadership are those who are willing to tell the people what they want to hear.

Be Christ for all. Bring Christ to all. See Christ in all.