Judge Not

It happened one day in 1969 in West Germany, on a bus filled with boy scouts on a way to a jamboree, we happened into the middle of a protest that had all the signs of developing into a riot.  The hippies, as we knew them to be, surrounded our bus.  My father, the scout leader in charge, told us to press our Canadian flags against the windows.  Badges, sashes, small flags, whatever we had.  We passed in peace.  The prevailing and unsubstantiated wisdom of the day was that Canadians would never encounter harm in Europe not because of our home and native citizenship, but because we weren't American.

Be that as it may, recently in Canada we have had our share of riots first in Vancouver after the Stanley Cup final, and then on March 17 in London, Ontario during the celebration of the life and good works of an Irish saint.  A disquieting trend has emerged, and I speak not of the rioting itself nor of recognizing sainthood by exhibiting decidedly unsaintly behaviour.

In both instances the community has been quick to judge based on videos and pictures.  Alleged rioters are being threatened and hounded, as though merely being photographed taking a big-screen TV through a broken store window or taking a two-by-four to a police vehicle is proof of complicity.  It may well be, but that is for the court to decide.

There is no justice in rushing to judgement.  Offer the evidence if you have it, share the incriminating social media, and then let the system prove guilt and mete out punishment, correction and restitution.

"Vengeance is mine, says the Lord."  Romans 12:19  Vigilante retribution is as bad and perhaps worse than the alleged illegal behaviour it seeks to punish.

Catholic. Charity

Catholics should give to Catholic charities.  I guess I could have hidden that somewhere between the lines, but it needs to be said, aloud, outside of the lines.

The faith is being watered down by well-meaning Catholics, teachers in the Catholic system, Catholic affinity groups and Catholic community leaders who raise and give money to causes that are quite admirable and quite secular, and there are many of them.   But unless they are Catholic charities, or charities recommended by the local ordinary (our Bishop), we have no guarantee that every penny will be spent in support of Catholic values.  What guarantee have we that money given to a secular charity in support of the sick will not someday be directed towards euthanasia?  That giving to a charitable collective that supports many community charities will not include one that counsels abortion?

There are plenty of very generous people in the secular world with no allegiance except to their own conscience who support all sorts of worthy causes.  God bless them.

There are precious few dollars to support Catholic causes in support of the poor, the sick, the elderly, the unborn, the sorrowful woman who has aborted her child, the crumbling historic church, the faithful.  We must not allow charity inspired at the foot of the cross to be exploited by the secular world for it's own cause to the glory of it's own name.

Catholic dollars should be given, exclusively if possible, to support charity done in Christ's name in accordance with our faith, in accordance with what we believe.