The arrogance of the Church of Rome knows no bounds. This arrogance is nowhere more manifest than in the field of morals. In a new Vatican handbook published by the Pontifical Council for the Family, the Papacy urges her priests to treat couples using contraception with "mercy, discretion and respect", while at the same time claiming that the Church's ban on contraception is a "definite and unreformable doctrine". The publication insists that Roman Catholics admitting to their "sin" should have absolution, even if they "sin" repeatedly. One proviso is that upon confession there must be a commitment "not to fall again into sin".
In the light of the sexual misconduct of many of her clergy it is blatantly hypocritical for the Mother of Harlots to say anything about morality.
It seems that because of increased disillusionment amongst her adherents over the misbehaviour of priests, and because of falling church attendance, Rome is prepared to do anything to claw back lost ground.
What is the ordinary individual to think about a system which on the one hand reaffirms a 'principle' and on the other hand prostitutes this 'principle' by promising forgiveness to those who continually flout it?
The Scarlet Woman stands self-condemned, and all her claims to inerrancy are proved a farce. She has nothing to offer her people but that which will "make empty the soul of the hungry" (Isa. 32:6). Satisfaction and salvation are in the Lord Jesus alone, "who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and satisfaction and redemption" (I Cor. 1:30). Faith in an unfailing Christ, not in a destitute Church, brings peace.
