The "Third Secret" speaks of grave dangers for the Catholic Faith (as Cardinal Ratzinger has said) arising in our time. Here is a sad example.

       A couple of years ago, the American bishops belatedly came out with a document which stated that no Catholic can be pro-choice when it comes to abortion. Now, it seems that quite a number of bishops on the state level have done what they themselves have condemned — they have taken pro-choice stands regarding abortion.

       We are often surprised to hear about their "behind the scenes" betrayals from the secular press. For example, The New York Times (April 28, 1990) reported concerning Connecticut's pro-abortion bill (which allowed abortion up to the time of "fetus" viability and after that for the life or health of the mother as she or her doctor decides): "Lawmakers said the broad support for the bill was in part due to several compromises [one wonders what the original bill was before these "compromises"] ... The compromises ... ultimately reduced opposition from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford and the ... [Catholic] Pro-Life Council of Connecticut ..."

       Also, more recently, the Louisiana bishops went into politics as they promoted legislation which would allow murder by abortion in cases where one's mother was an [alleged] victim of rape or incest or when one's mother's life was endangered. The local press perceived exactly what the bishops had done. Frank Donze's headlines expressed their betrayal: "Catholic Bishops Relax Position on Abortion" (The Times Picayune, 3/1/91).

Hypocrisy, Confusion and Betrayal

       Yes, it was true, the Louisiana bishops relaxed their position on abortion. Whose position was relaxed or changed? God's? No! Their position. Here we have the heart of the problem.

       The Louisiana bishops in their official statement (2/28/9l) hypocritically professed that all life was inalienable and then they promoted the "alienability" or murder of human life (in certain cases, of course).

       Whose position are the bishops expressing? Their position. Their position is negotiable. However, God's position is non-negotiable.

       God forbids murder — all murder. God forbids murder according to what truly Catholic theologians refer to as the natural law. Such a law does not admit of any exceptions.

       Not even the Pope can dispense anyone from the natural law. A fortiori, no bishop or group of bishops can dispense anyone from the natural law. It's that simple!

       No one — not even the Pope — can promote murder or any type of murder. Therefore, these bishops have acted against the objective moral order in a very serious matter.

       What should we do? How should we respond to such scandal? How can we help such bishops and their "innocent victims"?

Pray, Sacrifice and Act

       The real Sister Lucy of Fatima has observed that some of our leaders are blind leaders. She has repeatedly urged us to pray and sacrifice for our priests, bishops and, especially, for the Pope.

       Along with praying and sacrificing, we should do what is appropriate, prudent and effective. We should work that God's will be done on earth according to His will.

       We should work hard for the fulfillment of God's will and for obedience to the eternal law.

       Why? That's our God-given duty. Also, at present, we have "little or no excuse" since we are still blessed to live within an atmosphere of sufficient freedom. We don't know how long we'll enjoy such freedom (within the State and the Church). Therefore, it is urgent that we do what we can while we still can do what we should.

       Protest the wrong and sinful deeds of your hierarchy. As true Catholics, they are accountable to God for our spiritual welfare and we have a right to ask them to justify their actions in the light of their responsibilities.

       Also, encourage the proper deeds and good works of the hierarchy. They need to hear compliments as well as complaints.

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