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A Moral Obligation
By Fr. Francis E. Fenton
… Why do traditional Roman Catholics, who have the strongest incentives of all to stand up and be counted and to be militant, continue to remain passive in the face of the anti-God forces so relentlessly on the march at the present time and so increasingly successful in their efforts to date?
Why is it that most traditional Roman Catholics, however commendable their personal and family lives may be, are such failures when it comes to “Catholic Action” and militancy and fighting for the Faith? Do they suppose that they are doing the will of God solely by attending Mass and receiving the Sacraments and saying the rosary and keeping the Commandments? Assuredly, that is not enough — and especially in these days. Or perhaps they just don’t want to “get involved” or “rock the boat.” If their Roman Catholic Faith means what it is supposed to mean to them, namely, everything, then it’s high time they got involved — and they have a moral obligation to get involved! As for not wanting to rock the boat, that boat is sinking while they’re on the sidelines watching it sink! Some “Church Militant”! Or could it be that the traditional Catholics to whom I refer are merely biding their time in prayer and waiting for God to perform a miracle to straighten things out? But such an expectation is not in accord with the mind of the Church. Yes, I believe in miracles but, in the present circumstances, even the possibility of divine intervention on our behalf would appear to be out of the question unless traditional Roman Catholics begin to do their full part, unless, that is, they become activists, warriors, crusaders, fighters for the Faith. Prayer alone is not enough. “God made us without us but He will not save us without us.” (Saint Augustine)
Of all the wars in which the human race has been engaged since the dawn of civilization, one only has been perpetual: the war between good and evil. And that war continues today. There is one major difference though and that is that this perennial conflict now gives the distinct appearance of soon approaching a climax. Have Satan and the forces of evil ever held sway more widely than they do at the present time? Have those on the side of God and truth and morality ever been more ineffective than they are here and now? Has the moral law of God ever been more blatantly and contemptuously violated? Has the Kingship of Christ ever been ignored and scorned more universally?
But why? The answer, I believe, is to be found, at least in large part, in the apathy, the indifference, the passivity of those who claim to be on the side of God. The good and the honorable have allowed this to happen — and they continue to do so. Unprecedented moral evil prevails today in our land and worldwide through default on our part. The most crucial war being waged today is that which involves the souls of men — and the stakes are eternal. Satan and his cohorts are winning that war hands down, a stark fact which no believer in God and follower of Christ can possibly deny. For this paramount tragedy the vast majority of traditional Roman Catholics must bear the brunt of the blame for they should be in the vanguard of the Christian
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likely even think in such terms. We are at war and we are losing that war because of our inertia, our apathy, our hesitancy to get involved, our reluctance to become militant.
How long more before traditional Roman Catholics come to a realization that it is not enough for them merely to live morally good lives, to attend Mass, to receive the Sacraments, to recite the rosary, etc. Their Faith demands much more of them. It always has, of course, but especially in this our day. While most of them are well aware of how bad things are and have been bemoaning the sad state of affairs for years, what are they doing about it? With but a few exceptions, little or nothing. That being the case, they are delinquent in the fulfillment of their duty as Roman Catholics. The massive abandonment of God and rejection of His moral law is the fundamental reason for the spiritual and moral decadence that currently pervades our nation and the world. The solution, the only solution is “to restore all things in Christ,” the restoration and the recognition of the Kingship of Christ among men and nations. To do his part towards the ultimate attainment of that grand and glorious objective is a moral obligation incumbent upon every Roman Catholic worthy of the name.
This article was excerpted from the January 15, 1987 issue of The Athanasian newsletter.
Editor’s biographical note from the source scan: Father Francis Fenton ranks among the foremost defenders of Holy Mother Church in this troubled era. Born in 1918 this fearless prelate was well trained to do battle with the enemies of Christ. His studies produced a Masters Degree and a S.T.L. (Sacrae Theologiae Licentiatus, a Licentiate of Sacred Theology permitting him to teach theology in seminaries and Catholic Universities). He was a parish priest for over 20 years before being given permission by his bishop to pursue an educational campaign against the forces of Godless communism. Father Fenton passed to his eternal reward August 3, 1995. Please pray for him.