Obliterating Christianity in Britain.

There's something about Catholicism that drives some people crazy. It disturbs them so deeply, in fact, that they feel they must repudiate it, blot it out, perhaps without ever realising why they feel so compelled to do so. This is because the Catholic faith, as the repository of Truth, inherently functions as a reminder that none of us is sinless and that only God is good. Thus, like a shepherd, Catholic teaching quietly and persistently urges all who hear its message to live according to the natural law which requires strict obedience.

To say this message has been unpopular is an understatement. At every turn, the Catholic Church's 2000-year-old assault on human pride has been met with anger, argument, denial, violence and even death in a futile attempt to silence the eternal Truth of our very existence-that Our Lord Jesus Christ is the true Messiah who redeemed our precious souls through His Birth, Passion, Death and Resurrection. And that's how you should be interpreting the daily news.

You already know what is right and what is wrong. It's not a matter of interpretation: it's been written on your heart by God Himself and no amount of clever sophistry or legal gymnastics can erase it. So when you read the story of the Christian couple here in Britain who have been ordered to teach their teenaged foster children that homosexuality is normal, you recognise what's really going on, you recognise the dynamic at work.

You recognise too the truth of Jesus' warning that His flock would be persecuted and that perpetual persecution in His Name would continue throughout history.

When Victor and Pauline Matherick told social services officials that taking a foster child to a gay support group would violate their consciences, the eleven-year-old boy in their charge was removed. The Christian beliefs of this couple, who have already fostered 28 children, appear to have acted as a silent challenge to those whose job it is to enforce the new Sexual Orientation Regulations.

"They were saying that we had to be prepared to talk about sexuality with eleven-year-olds," explained Victor Matherick, 65. "Which I don't think is appropriate anyway ... We have never discriminated against anybody, but I cannot preach the benefits of homosexuality when I believe it is against the word of God."

Interesting, isn't it, how the Mathericks were not preaching publicly in the town square but simply living their Christian beliefs, and how this was sufficient to bring the power of the local council down on their heads? According to the Mathericks, Somerset Council officials told them that if a child in their care showed signs of interest in homosexuality, they would be expected to take the child to a homosexual support group or suffer the consequences.

Nor is this case unique. Just before the Mathericks' case came to light, the Times reported that an employment appeal tribunal had just heard the claim of a Christian magistrate forced to resign because he refused to place children for adoption with homosexual couples.

"It's absolutely horrendous that Christian men and women doing their bit for the community are being discriminated against because of their beliefs," fumed Conservative Party MP David Davies. "I'm quite certain that social services would never dare to ask a member of any other established religion to agree to such a stance on homosexuality." Possibly, but where were the Conservatives when this legislation, with all its predictable consequences, was being passed?

The Daily Mail meanwhile reports that the UK is experiencing a shortfall of at least 8000 placements for children in need of care. And in September, an investigation into child services in Wakefield revealed a bias in favour of homosexuals that in one case resulted in years of sexual abuse being allowed to continue.

In 2006, Ian Wathey, 40, and Craig Faunch, 32, were convicted of molesting and filming eight-year-old twins and two 14-year-old boys placed in their care by the local council child services. An independent investigative panel found that the council's fear of offending the homosexual movement or being labelled homophobic allowed the two men to continue to sexually abuse the boys, even while social workers harboured suspicions. "You didn't want to be seen discriminating against a same-sex couple," one social worker explained.

Given this dynamic, you can also see where the drive to obliterate Christmas comes from. Apparently its perversion into a materialistic circus wasn't enough. The message still got through. Confirmation yet again that the Way, the Truth and the Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ is simultaneously the answer to this life and the door to the next, and that there is indeed an enemy that doesn't want us to know.

Have a happy and holy Christmas.

Paula Adamick is a professional journalist. She writes from London, England, where she publishes the monthly Canada Post.