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Mutants at our Masses:

Catholic or Catastrophic?

By Angelique Sauvegarde

Throughout history, it has not been unusual for the Catholic Church to weigh in on a variety of issues, from large-scale injustices like poverty and war to everyday matters like family harmony, regardless of the popularity of its teachings. So it surprised very few to hear that the Pope had taken a position on mutants and their place within our society. His recent encyclical, Nostra Familia Mutantis, however, has stirred a firestorm greater than even the controversy surrounding Humanae Vitae.

In light of this, it is only fitting that we devote a series of articles to detailing and investigating reactions from all sides. Starting today and throughout the week, we will feature articles by and interviews with leading doctors, clergy and religious, scholars, politicians, and everyday people, Catholic and otherwise, with a variety of opinions regarding and experiences with mutants among us. For a great many of us, this is a frightening issue that forces us to question what it means to be human and where humanity stands in the whole of God's creation. But these questions need to be asked. It is our hope that we may provoke honest but thoughtful discussion guided by the kind of reasoning many say is the divine spark, the wisdom we like to think makes us homo sapiens.

Who and What are Mutants, Anyway? Notizie San Gabriel

Equally human: 48 percent

Members of separate and superior hominid species: >1 percent

Members of separate and threatening species: 33 percent

Other: 14 percent

Don't know: 4 percent

A scientific study of 50,000 randomly selected people revealed these results. Further probing revealed that the general public does not accept mutants as much as these numbers alone would indicate.

Of those who regarded mutants as non-human threats to humanity, all were in favor of eradicating mutant populations. "It's not as if they, like lions or tigers, contribute anything to the ecosystem," said "Sierra". "And as long as they are allowed to fancy themselves human, they'll feel entitled to destroy and consume as much as humans. Humanity, and the earth as a whole, will not lose anything. Indeed, we will only benefit from the extinction of these species."

Of those who voted "other" or "don't know," 5 were in favor of extending mutants equal rights. 60 favored restrictions, such as have been proposed under numerous nations' mutant registration acts, and 35 supported eradication. "I don't think they're human," said "Tom," "but if a dog started speaking up and demanding its rights, I'd listen. But if it asked to be taken off its leash, no way."

The percentage that regards mutants as separate and superior was overshadowed dramatically by the study's 2 margin of error.

Finally, even those who regard mutants as fully and equally human revealed some anti-mutant bias. 70 favored restrictions under various mutant registration acts. "I don't see how law enforcement could keep up with mutant crime, without restrictions," said "Edith." "And while I'm sure there are mutants who are kind, decent people, I don't think I'd want my daughter to go out with one."

From the Scientific Community

"There are a few mutants, to be perfectly fair, who arrogantly claim to be of a new, separate, and superior species,and act as if the morality that governs all humanity does not apply to them," says Dr. Adimu Altheim, coauthor with geneticist Dr. Henry McCoy of various studies and articles such as "The Ethics of Mutant Stem Cell Research."

Biologically, mutation is nothing more than a suddenly occurring genetic variation, and it actually occurs in humans quite frequently. "Most of the time, mutations are no more noticeable or bothersome than one's habit to get up earlier than most, or an extra bone in another's foot," Dr. Altheim says.

She also says that sometimes mutation, while never a disease in and of itself, can result in diseases or disabilities such as a tendency toward cancer or depression. "But in a truly human society, we would seek exercise prevention where there is a risk for disease, or treat the illness should it arise, rather than eliminate the patients. Only very rarely does a mutation actually produce extraordinary abilities in the people possessing it. As revolutionary as it may seem to many, mutants are in fact just as human as anyone else."

The Church's Position

Philosophy professor and Canon lawyer Father Patrick Brady called into question common definitions of humanity, citing numerous works, "from the medieval Platonists, to Chaucer, to C.S. Lewis," suggesting or even stating outright that even having a seemingly inhuman body does not preclude having a mind or soul that is or is equal to human.

He also says that the ramifications of any anti-mutant bias in the Church could interfere with the Church's ability to minister in seemingly unrelated areas. "If we deny believers their humanity and a place in the Church based on genetic traits," he says, "what, then, of the child who has Down's Syndrome, or the beloved parish priest with osteogenesis imperfecta?" He insists that only by very flawed logic can we continue to oppose racism, sexism, abortion, eugenics, discrimination against the disabled, and other crimes against anyone likely to be arbitrarily denied their rights as human beings if the Church does not welcome mutants. "His Holiness really has come to the only conclusion consistent with the Church's regard for all human life. For the sake of all the good the Church ever has and ever will stand for, we must extend the same welcome to mutant believers that we would to anyone else."

News Publishing Office Robbed and Vandalized

Reporters Escape Bombing Attempt From L'Osservatore Romano

Rome- The main office of Catholic news service Notizie San Gabriel was robbed and vandalized yesterday after running several articles addressing mutant issues. Workers arrived to find windows broken, threats spray painted upon the walls, papers and computer equipment strewn everywhere, and a parcel bomb addressed to freelance reporter Angelique Sauvegarde, author and editor of the controversial Mutants at our Masses series. Several computers were also stolen.

"So many groups called in and claimed responsibility," said police chief Rafael Neri, "that it's hard to tell if they were lying, covering for the real perpetrators, or actually involved."

The staff remained undaunted and issued the following statement. "In the name of fair reporting, we had actually hoped that people on all sides would contribute more letters and interviews, rather than this. We encourage the newspapers and magazines we serve to run the rest of the series, and refuse to be intimidated by those who do not value the free exchange of ideas."

Nightcrawler read and re-read the article. Violence against mutants or mutant sympathizers was as disturbing as it was common. And every time it seemed society made progress in solving that problem, something would happen that would galvanize the bigots. But something else bothered him as well. Angelique Sauvegarde was a rather unusual name, true. A name, French or otherwise, that literally meant "angelic safeguard" was most likely a nom de plume. Or nom de guerre. But didn't he recently refer to a dear friend as his "guardian angel," before she left for an undercover assignment?

"Ja Himmel noch a'mal!" He hastily folded his copy of L'Osservatore Romano and teleported to the Professor's office

Professor Charles Xavier was unruffled by the explosion of smoke and the sudden appearance of a blue man crouching on his desk, frantically waving a newspaper.

"Was ist los? Ist sie-?"

"Yes, Kurt," said Charles. "It is she. Don't worry. I think she actually chose that alias so you could check on her without compromising the mission. She is safe, and she trusts that we will keep her identity to ourselves. Meanwhile, she is actually far more worried about us. You in particular."

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