by Tyler O'Neil
When Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg church 495 years ago today, he would never have guessed that the Roman Catholic Church would face oppression from a republican government originally established by Protestants. In 500 years, history has come full circle, and the Roman Catholic Church now stands up to another repressive establishment.
October 31, considered Halloween in most of American culture, also marks Reformation Day – the anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses. Protestants hail this day as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, while Catholics consider it an aberration.
Nevertheless, two weeks before Independence Day, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops declared a“Fortnight for Freedom” to defend religious liberty. Opposing the contraception mandate, which forces healthcare providers (even religious ones) to provide contraception as “medical coverage,” the Catholics stood up for a historically Protestant freedom–the freedom of religion.
June 21, the beginning of the Fortnight, coincided with the eve of the feast of Saint Thomas More, executed for remaining loyal to the Roman Catholic Church when King Henry VIII split from it in 1534.
Throughout America’s history, the Protestant establishment has sought an edge over their Catholic brethren. After the election of the first Roman Catholic President–John F. Kennedy–in 1960, those attempts seemed utterly frustrated.
Earlier this year, however, with the implementation of certain passages of the Obama Healthcare law, Roman Catholics were again forced to violate their consciences.
As the Weekly Standard’s Jonathan V. Last pointed out, pro-life Democrats have passed from oddity to endangered species.
Due to this Democratic shift in favor of abortion, the Roman Catholic authorities are silently shifting in favor of Romney, by promoting unprecedented voter education.
Catholics abandoning their traditional Democratic loyalty may be as revolutionary as Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. In solidarity with those who stand with religious freedom, Protestants should join their separated brethren.
The Church must do as it always done, proving the truth of Christ’s statement, recorded in John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This article was originally published on Hillsdale Natural Law Review, Tyler's personal blog.
October 31, considered Halloween in most of American culture, also marks Reformation Day – the anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses. Protestants hail this day as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, while Catholics consider it an aberration.
Nevertheless, two weeks before Independence Day, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops declared a“Fortnight for Freedom” to defend religious liberty. Opposing the contraception mandate, which forces healthcare providers (even religious ones) to provide contraception as “medical coverage,” the Catholics stood up for a historically Protestant freedom–the freedom of religion.
June 21, the beginning of the Fortnight, coincided with the eve of the feast of Saint Thomas More, executed for remaining loyal to the Roman Catholic Church when King Henry VIII split from it in 1534.
Throughout America’s history, the Protestant establishment has sought an edge over their Catholic brethren. After the election of the first Roman Catholic President–John F. Kennedy–in 1960, those attempts seemed utterly frustrated.
Earlier this year, however, with the implementation of certain passages of the Obama Healthcare law, Roman Catholics were again forced to violate their consciences.
As the Weekly Standard’s Jonathan V. Last pointed out, pro-life Democrats have passed from oddity to endangered species.
Due to this Democratic shift in favor of abortion, the Roman Catholic authorities are silently shifting in favor of Romney, by promoting unprecedented voter education.
Catholics abandoning their traditional Democratic loyalty may be as revolutionary as Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. In solidarity with those who stand with religious freedom, Protestants should join their separated brethren.
The Church must do as it always done, proving the truth of Christ’s statement, recorded in John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This article was originally published on Hillsdale Natural Law Review, Tyler's personal blog.
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