Topics include: Aid to Cuba through the Church; Nigerian teen on sainthood path; Jimmy Lai is a ‘hostage’, not a criminal; & Scouting America backtracks from DEI
I don't understand why a person who chooses to die before being raped is headed for Sainthood. It was a terrible thing but many folks face that choice and find that they should live. I would think the church is saying the girl chose to give up her life rather than live out God's plan for her. I simply do not understand why this stands out for sainthood. Are you able to clarify?
I am not a theologian, but I think that the answer to that lies in the story of Saint Maria Goretti whose refusal contained a reminder to her attacker that what he was doing was a sin. As such, she loved heroically, as concerned for the state of the soul of her attacker as for her virtue.
It is also highly likely that Saint Joan of Ark was assaulted by her prison guards, so it does not seem that being a victim of sexual assault is a barrier to canonization. I think that the totality of the circumstances are taken into consideration.
I think that some of the women in Nigeria who have been taken captives and forced into marriage by their abductors will eventually be beatified by the Vatican for their heroism in carrying pregnancies to term and caring lovingly for children conceived by force. It is not the desire of God for any of this evil to happen, but great saints have come from great hardships.
I’m not female but can say that I would rather be in heaven with God than on earth going through that hell and living with the memories. And, if she is killed rather than raped during any attack due to her faith then she is a martyr…straight to Heaven.
It's a good question. Interestingly, today is the feast day of St. Scholastica, a "virgin." That's not technically an answer, but the notation of her purity on the day of this story is fascinating.
Purity is a Christian virtue in stark contrast to pagan faiths and many religions still current today. A list of 11 women saints who were consecrated for refusing to give up their purity can be found at https://catholic.heritage-history.com/site/hclass/saints_heroes/rise/virgins.pdf. Reading about their lives offers several powerful examples of courageous women who did not compromise their free will, choosing death rather than breaking a vow to God. Sainthood is seldom heralded during one's life on earth. Few can operate as if they were already living in union with God.
Nigeria is producing saints at an overwhelming rate. The explanation is rather clear: "Vivian, the 14-year-old Nigerian girl, who chose to be killed rather than be sexually defiled, has been recognized as heroic, courageous, and faith-filled."
She may well have been hoping to be married someday. Virginity isn't defined as a permanent choice, but a state for all of us who are not married. The killers, who ruthlessly offered her the horrific choice of dying or being raped, could have simply forced themselves on her. They were consumed by the devil, we must assume, and we can only pray that her murder will lead to their conversions.
You seem to believe that "God's plan for her" cannot include such a sacrifice. This reflects the difficulty we have in living out a saintly life. Most of us would compromise. There are theologians who better explain this conundrum, but I still suggest that reading about the 11 women recognized as saints for their insistence on remaining pure will help to explain the beauty of these holy souls.
I don't understand why a person who chooses to die before being raped is headed for Sainthood. It was a terrible thing but many folks face that choice and find that they should live. I would think the church is saying the girl chose to give up her life rather than live out God's plan for her. I simply do not understand why this stands out for sainthood. Are you able to clarify?
I am not a theologian, but I think that the answer to that lies in the story of Saint Maria Goretti whose refusal contained a reminder to her attacker that what he was doing was a sin. As such, she loved heroically, as concerned for the state of the soul of her attacker as for her virtue.
It is also highly likely that Saint Joan of Ark was assaulted by her prison guards, so it does not seem that being a victim of sexual assault is a barrier to canonization. I think that the totality of the circumstances are taken into consideration.
I think that some of the women in Nigeria who have been taken captives and forced into marriage by their abductors will eventually be beatified by the Vatican for their heroism in carrying pregnancies to term and caring lovingly for children conceived by force. It is not the desire of God for any of this evil to happen, but great saints have come from great hardships.
I’m not female but can say that I would rather be in heaven with God than on earth going through that hell and living with the memories. And, if she is killed rather than raped during any attack due to her faith then she is a martyr…straight to Heaven.
It's a good question. Interestingly, today is the feast day of St. Scholastica, a "virgin." That's not technically an answer, but the notation of her purity on the day of this story is fascinating.
Purity is a Christian virtue in stark contrast to pagan faiths and many religions still current today. A list of 11 women saints who were consecrated for refusing to give up their purity can be found at https://catholic.heritage-history.com/site/hclass/saints_heroes/rise/virgins.pdf. Reading about their lives offers several powerful examples of courageous women who did not compromise their free will, choosing death rather than breaking a vow to God. Sainthood is seldom heralded during one's life on earth. Few can operate as if they were already living in union with God.
Nigeria is producing saints at an overwhelming rate. The explanation is rather clear: "Vivian, the 14-year-old Nigerian girl, who chose to be killed rather than be sexually defiled, has been recognized as heroic, courageous, and faith-filled."
She may well have been hoping to be married someday. Virginity isn't defined as a permanent choice, but a state for all of us who are not married. The killers, who ruthlessly offered her the horrific choice of dying or being raped, could have simply forced themselves on her. They were consumed by the devil, we must assume, and we can only pray that her murder will lead to their conversions.
You seem to believe that "God's plan for her" cannot include such a sacrifice. This reflects the difficulty we have in living out a saintly life. Most of us would compromise. There are theologians who better explain this conundrum, but I still suggest that reading about the 11 women recognized as saints for their insistence on remaining pure will help to explain the beauty of these holy souls.
I pray that helps.