This Isn't Spain, This Is England

Those words were used in one of the greatest movies, in my opinion, ever filmed: A Man For All Seasons.  Perhaps I am off of my rocker, or perhaps I am biased by St. Thomas More was particularly awesome.  But my point still stands: that movie is great.  And now, the lines of this movie are becoming eerily apt for the present situation of religious liberty in America.  From Master Cromwell: "This isn't Spain, this is England" referring to the Inquisition.  From Sebelius: "This isn't England, this is America."

The parallels.  Henry VIII was the champion of his nation.  At one time he was the champion of his faith, bearing the title "Defender of the Faith" with pride.  But as he ruled, and the Reformation (so-called) set in, he began to be wooed by, for want of a better word, heretics.  Suggestions that Papal authority were an affront to his sovereignty, along with the absolutely despicable advances of Anne Boleyn, successfully turned the heart of this once noble King.  And with this corruption came an era of Catholic persecution in England truly deplorable given the English heritage of Magna Carta and rule of Law.

Many claim, and in some areas I too would claim, that Barak Obama was the champion of change for the better in America.  Protest of unjust wars, compassion for the less fortunate, and seemingly reasoned positions in comparison to the previous administration would be a breath of fresh-air.  And yet his heart was soured by Cecile Richards, the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood.

And Cecile Richards, the Anne Boleyn, has allied herself with Kathleen Sebelius, the Cromwell of this drama.  The council of the King.  The Dog of the tyrant.  And worse Cromwell was Catholic, and Sebelius claims as such as well.  And let the Catholics persecute one another, but even more, let the King's Catholics play the part of the prosecution.

I pray that the Courts will overturn this blatant infringement upon the rights of Catholic organizations.  St. Thomas More did not deny the oath, he merely refused to take it.  For this he was detained in the Tower of London, for periods denied the right to see his family or attend Mass.  Eventually, he was beheaded.  And all because he refused to deny his conscience.  He did not enforce his will upon others.  He just would not be complicit.

Catholics do to enforce a restriction of birth control on the country, they only wish to not be complicit.  Please, leave us to contemplate the Death and Passion of out Lord.

But since it would seem we be condemned...

 

 This isn't Spain, this is England.