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The personal sense of faith requires constantly talking about true Christian attitudes in public life, as well as in politics. Especially in politics. The fact that Christian politics without evangelical compassion is pointless and pointless seems to be obvious to many believers. Unfortunately, we have yet to get caught up in virtual and physical debates in which Catholics complain even with threats of excommunication (separation from the Church) for those who dare to publicly support liberal ideas that supposedly contradict Christian teaching.
Biblical quotes taken out of context or the more conservative individual authoritarian clergy are used for limited understanding. There is even a wave of the Magisterium (the official teaching of the Church), which many are unable to cover, as are many of those cited.
Diversity of opinion is basically a good thing. But only if there is a balance that guarantees that contrary ideas will not be deprived of the right to be. Which, unfortunately, has happened especially often in history and still happens when Catholics take up the debate in the political space. Perhaps this is why the fierce crickets are fighting so fiercely, fearing that the established liberals will burn down their churches?
Diversity of opinion is basically a good thing. But only if there is a balance that guarantees that contrary ideas will not be deprived of the right to be.
And it is as if the fresh rain in the heat of the electoral debate is being expressed by the voice of Pope Francis, who says that “homosexual people are children of God and have the right to form a family (…) I think it is necessary translate this into law. People must be protected. I support him ”, says the Pope in the documentary Francesco.
Today, in a few sentences, Pope Francis anointed the wounds of those who had been rejected for centuries, as healing oils, who were called the obsessed, to whom the doors of churches are still closed. For centuries they have been told that when you change, then come, we will let you go to God. I can only imagine how many wet eyes around the world today … And how many of them in Lithuania?
I participated in this election together with Ausma Sakalauskaitė, a church organist who was recently expelled from the Šventežeris church, where she played the organ and led the choir, because when she ran for the Freedom Party in the Seimas, she dared to say the same thing that Pope Francis repeated today.
Ausma was openly presented to voters about her life: professional activities and personal relationships. She openly said that she was living with her partner and that she would seek to change the laws in the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania to make their relationships legal. It was this opening that led to Ausma’s withdrawal from the organ. This was publicly recognized by the pastor of Šventežeris, the priest Egidijus Juravičius, who administers the church.
For the moment, we can only wait and see if it will be enough for the Bishop of Vilkaviškis, Rimantas Norvilas, in whose diocese this public case of discrimination took place, to take decisive action. How will Pope Francis act in light of the message? Will the hierarchs of the Church in Lithuania respond to Francis’ invitation in the latest encyclical Fratelli tutti? I am sure that this encyclical, translated into Lithuanian, will provoke many more discussions on social issues in our society.
There is a wide range of acceptance options between “accept” and “hate”.
We have neither the power nor the duty to organize the life of the Church. This is not our problem. This is a matter for the Pope and his bishops and the community of believers. However, it is up to all of us citizens to ensure that discrimination in Lithuania has no future. Our job is to make a real difference so that social justice in this country does not remain a mere slogan, but becomes a reality in all areas of life. Have an educated and open civil society behind all the weak and marginalized.
There is a wide range of acceptance options between “accept” and “hate”. As between the Crusades and the proclamation of the evangelical message, there is a wide and deep chasm into which all desires for moralization and condemnation collapse. When it comes to organizing the life of society as a whole, we must ensure that there is enough space for all people, regardless of the different beliefs of individual members of society or their groups. Lithuania will be open, free and loving to all its people. And it will be soon. We will soon create a truly free Lithuania, in the new term of the Seimas.
This Sunday we will find out how many votes of this squad of the Freedom Party will be filled with their votes, which today have received, albeit tacitly, the enormous support of Pope Francis. After all, it was the Freedom Party that put human rights issues at the top of the agenda in these elections. Eight knights of royal change are already awaiting their oath at the Seimas. Twelve more could join them.
After written
If you still doubt that evangelical liberalism is possible, I admit it, I ask myself this question constantly, and Pope Francis is the source of inspiration for this absurd value of evangelical liberalism. He appears to be a supporter and a supporter, with his bold thinking and open heart performing necessary miracles for the 21st century, healing people’s wounded hearts and more, healing entire societies with his compassionate words. It also reinforces my hope that the path of evangelical liberalism is not only possible but necessary. And perhaps it is necessary not only for Lithuania.
Gediminas Jaunius is a member of the Vilnius City Council, candidate of the Seimas Freedom Party.
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