Reuters reported on a speech given by Archbishop Angelo Amato. (click here to read) The spokesman for the Vatican spoke today against gay marriage, abortion and euthanasia. The positions taken should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the teachings of the Catholic Church as promulgated by the Vatican.

The Church has stood firm against what Amato referred to as "'evils that remain almost invisible" because the media presented them as "expression of human progress.'"

Amato took the position that the media uses language to minimize the truths about many issues being debated in cultures around the world. Amato rightly challenges the media's use of language to support political positions- citing terms like "centre for reproductive health' to refer to abortion clinics and referring to euthanasia as "death with dignity"- because those terms support the evolving morality of the left.

People often seek to bend the teachings of religious institutions to justify their own behavior. To date, many faiths have modified their teachings to tolerate and accept behavioral choices of individuals to meet the people where they are, so to speak. The Catholic Church recognizes humans make mistakes and people can seek forgiveness through confession. Those who repent are forgiven. (click here to read a relevant portion of the Catechism)

The Vatican has refused to bend its teachings to accommodate the interests of parishioners who seek absolution for ongoing lifestyle choices. The Church is right to stand firm against members and Parishes who seek to subvert the teachings of the Church for their own personal reasons. If a person does not agree with the Church about fundamental issues, then that person can abandon the Church to find false comfort from another, more liberal, religion.

The Vatican has refused to bend its teachings to appease Catholics who deviate from acceptable behavior or to increase its popularity amongst secularists or members of other faiths who would weaken the Church to further their own positions.

The Vatican must encourage members of the Catholic Church to stand against politicians who seek to pass legislation that runs counter to the Church's teachings. If the Church and its followers do not stand up to protect and defend what is right under Natural Law, societies across the world will continue the downward spiral towards secularism. Secular law without a moral compass can more easily become mob rule with no regard to right and wrong.

As Pope John Paul II said, "The truth is not always the same as the majority decision."

Religious institutions should be the constants that hold people and societies accountable for their behavior. When a community can not rely on religious institutions to provide consistent moral guidance, where can they turn.

There are absolutes. Whether we like it or not, the Church should help us all remember that.