"1. In the twentieth century, the people of Ukraine suffered from a
godless Soviet regime that attempted to forcefully tear people from the
roots of faith and impose an atheistic worldview. Presented as the only 'scientific' one, this worldview denied human persons’ freedom of
conscience and deprived them of the right to freely profess their
religious beliefs. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the
world stands before similar challenges, which, however, are not
accompanied by open and bloody persecution, but rather are served by
hidden ideological means of destroying Christian faith and morality, as
well as universal human values. Some of these challenges relate to areas
of human sexuality and family life, and are not new to Ukraine; rather,
they are accented or presented in public consciousness in a new manner.
Others are entirely new and even far removed from the Ukrainian
context, but certain forces are attempting to artificially impose them
upon us.
"2. In particular, gender theories are a significant threat today,
attempting to destroy the perception of human sexuality as a gift from
God that is naturally linked to the biological differences between man
and woman, as well as introducing a dangerous disorder to human
relationships and attacking the foundations of interpersonal
communication. The concepts of human dignity and freedom are undergoing
extensive manipulation and the true meaning of these essential moral
categories is being displaced and distorted. All these efforts are being
implemented very actively, systematically, and thoughtfully, using
political expediency and populist slogans. However, their true nature
and purpose remain hidden from the public. As a result, Ukrainian
society—sensitive to asserting its dignity and freedom—is in danger of
thoughtlessly accepting as truth questionable atheistic theories founded
in attempts to affirm human dignity, to achieve equality among people,
to defend the human right to freedom, and so on.
"3. Under these circumstances, the Church-Mother seeks by means of this
Encyclical to warn the faithful and all people of good will of the
threats that are hidden behind gender ideology and similar worldview
systems, and recall the traditional biblical, Christian, and universal
values upon which interpersonal relationships and the way of organizing
social life are based....
"Conclusion
29. The Lord calls people to salvation and the fullness of happiness,
giving his Commandments as a guide on our earthly journey. We call the
UGCC faithful and all people of good will to value and protect human
dignity in the face of new ideological challenges and threats. Each of
us is called to this, no matter what our position in society,. For this
reason:
• we call to mind that 'individuals should be endowed with this virtue
[of chastity] according to their state in life: for some it will mean
virginity or celibacy consecrated to God…. For others it will take the
form determined by the moral law, according to whether they are married
or single,' and therefore should be properly and responsibly prepare for
the choice of their state of life, based on the solid foundation of
faith, morality, and divine and natural law;
• we encourage parents to lead a good Christian life that will be an
example for their children. Please take care of the Christian education
of future generations, not only by transmitting the foundations of
faith, but also through all manner of encouragement that they live a
life in Christ and by warning them against the dangers of the false
exercise of one’s free choice. Parents 'are called to be gentle and wise
guides. It is they who must lead the child on its path of discovering
God’s gift of sexuality in himself or herself, revealing its nature and
meaning in a manner appropriate to the age, needs, and depth of the
child’s inquiry'
• we appeal to workers in the field of medicine, remembering that 'the
most important point of a physician’s oath is to serve human life from
the moment of conception and to defend its health,' to promote the
dissemination of a culture of life, defending in particular the life of
unborn children and the elderly or terminally ill;
• we ask everyone, especially those working in the fields of
information and education, to defend and disseminate traditional moral
values regarding sexuality and the family, remembering that 'nothing
can justify recourse to disinformation for manipulating public opinion
through the media';
• we ask all who are responsible for developing educational curricula
to prepare them on the basis of natural and divine law, respectful of
the truth, the qualities of the heart, and the moral and spiritual
dignity of man, avoiding any propaganda against sexual purity, marital
fidelity, and the true identity of the human person;
• we call upon scientists to remember that science and technology
should recognize the basic criteria of morality and be 'at the service
of the human person, of his inalienable rights, of his true and integral
good, in conformity with the plan and the will of God,'and also
encourage them to use available means to demonstrate the truth about
gender ideology and other destructive ideologies, and point to the
importance of adhering to traditional moral and ethical foundations;
• we remind pastors of their sacred duty to care for the spiritual
condition of the family—a community of love and a 'domestic church' (cf.
Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col. 4:15; Phil. 1:2; Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1
Tim. 2:8) that is 'the primary cell of the Christian community' and 'a
school of social solidarity'on which a healthy society is built. We also
encourage them to accompany families at all stages of their existence,
from preparation for married life, through support for young couples,
diligent catechesis of families, and special care of families who are
experiencing difficulties or crises. In addition, we ask pastors, while
maintaining the teachings of the Church and observing a high level of
spiritual and psychological maturity, to pay attention to pastoral work
with people who have problems with the definition of their own sexual
identity;
• we call upon all people of good will, especially government officials
and legislators, to be vigilant that the legislation of Ukraine not
give way to implementing uncertain and untested concepts of human
identity or family, or principles of gender education, remembering that
'the ruling authority has as its aim to serve the common good, to
preserve and protect the natural and true freedom of citizens, families,
and community organizations.' Legislation will only be firm and
unshakable when it is based not on temporary and dubious theories, but
on the natural law affirmed by divine revelation.
"30. We invite all to pray that God help us all to live according to his
commandments, trusting in his Divine Providence and not succumbing to
the temptations of opposing his will. The Lord, having created human
beings as 'male and female,' looked at them and said that it was very
good (Gen. 1:27,31). May he embrace each person and family in his loving
and life-giving gaze, confirm us all in his truth and love, and send
down upon all his Fatherly blessing!"
No comments:
Post a Comment