…At least officially. Dan Burke at Religion News Service has the scoop, that the USCCB has decided to remove from the agenda a discussion about Catholics and politics. They put the item on the agenda in September, and even this week archbishops Chaput of Denver and Myers of Newark (and likely others) were saying the debate was very much needed, as this RNS report shows.
“I think this is something that has evolved since September,” Sister Mary Ann Walsh, the USCCB spokesperson, told RNS. “Many bishops have already addressed the issue (of pro-abortion rights politicians) through pastoral letters, so there’s not the same need they saw in September.”
I don’t know the other rationales at work, but the decision is probably a good one. Firstly, they can, and most certainly will, have unofficial discussions and sound each other out, which is what they need to do. An “official” discussion could have led to lots of speechifying and no conclusions, or revealed even more disagreements. The election is over, they can afford to think this through, talk it out. As the thread below on Catholics and politics indicates, the church is not of one mind, or may not even know its mind. (Or is out of its mind?!) Secondly, they may want to see what the Obama administration does, what their approach is, what their relationship might be, before issuing declarations.
Point of discussion: I think in all of this, there are three discrete issues that are often conflated but shouldn’t be. One is a response to Catholic pols (or others, I suppose) who start explaining theology on national TV. That would be Biden and Pelosi, now 2 and 3 respectively in the national power structure. Their theologizing really upset many bishops. But correcting them on theology is one thing. A separate issue is whether Catholic politicians should be barred from communion for certain positions, or if and when “ordinary” Catholics should be barred. The final issue concerns their approach to influencing policies and politics. These are interconnected issues but involve different areas and (may) require different answers.
posted November 7, 2008 at 6:20 pm
“That would be Biden and Pelosi, now 2 and 3 respectively in the national power structure. Their theologizing really upset many bishops.”
Only because it was so far off the mark as far as Catholic theology.
posted November 7, 2008 at 8:07 pm
It is okay and good if they discuss the real world.
posted November 7, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Considering how hard they got kicked in the proverbial teeth by the voters, they are well advised to learn the virtue of silence on these matters.
posted November 8, 2008 at 12:26 am
At last, they had a sustained moment of sanity. There’s nothing wrong with that document. Clearly, those who read it understood and voted according to “informed conscience.”
In the wake of the election, I’ve been highly entertained by all the stories I’ve been hearing about Very Good Catholics jumping for joy (albeit behind closed office doors at diocesan centers) at Obama’s election. The pity of it is that the joy and relief of senior level clergy has to be behind closed doors.
posted November 8, 2008 at 12:57 am
I, for one, am not happy about the state of disunity in the church/country. Not everyone is happy with the Democratic party platform. Not everyone is happy that Catholics aren’t in agreement – especially about theological matters. I would think we could do a better job of being ‘of one heart and one mind’. The bishops are responsible for teaching/correcting/shepherding and have a moral obligation to refute falsehood/s and promote truth/s. I appreciate when that is done. “What is truth?” is the good question from Pilate. Actually a better question is “Who is Truth?” Anyway, I am getting tired of the have your cake and eat it too mentality of calling oneself Catholic, but not embracing the teaching of the church/Gospel. I believe there is a lot of deception going on about what the Gospel/church stand for. False prophets, false gospels exist. Rule of thumb: the spirit of the anti-Christ does not acknowledge Jesus coming in the flesh. (the Word Incarnate) Test the spirits to see if they be of God or not. Discernment, prayer. Be wise as serpents, meek as doves. God wishes that none would perish, but many perish from a lack of knowledge. Don’t be deceived. It seems many are listening to ear candy and going by what they think or feels right instead of God’s Word. Lean not on your own understanding – but acknowledge God and He will direct your paths. I see a generation going astray. I hear “come out from among them”. I pray we stay awake and alert because we do not know the day or hour…
I especially pray for medical students/professionals who (sometimes against their wills/consciences) daily are dealing with the results of law/policy-making that may be demonic.
Anyone checked out the National Catholic Bioethics Center?
http://www.ncbcenter.org
Risen Lord Jesus’ Peace!
e.t./sue >> *:D (: +
posted November 8, 2008 at 2:19 am
It is the responsibility of the Roman Catholic Church and all other Christian Churches to teach about the sanctity of life and to educate their members about the fallacy of abortion. It is also their responsibility as well as all of ours to help those women who are faced with unwanted or unplanned pregnancies to make life choices that are safe and healthy.
If we are going to reduce abortions, we must as Christians first and Americans second help in every aspect of the life of the women and their child; before, during and after the birth.
Ask yourselves, what would Jesus do to aid these women? What can I do to alleviate their burden? How can I assist in the caring and nurturing of these prescience lives? That is the Christian thing to do.
posted November 8, 2008 at 9:59 pm
We would do well to remember the lives of those who have been affected by abortion. Many of them (women and men) have sought and received reconciliation with the Church and are among our numbers.
In the spirit of Scruffy’s post: How can I reach out to someone who has had an abortion with love and acceptance? How can I love the person who has suffered as a result of a girlfriend or partner choosing an abortion?
There are many ways to support LIFE and all its complexities. Love is the key factor that unites us all.
And a gentle reminder here … what may look to US like a “disunited” Church may not look so much like that to God. We have no idea what is a God mind, and it is possible that many different perspectives, many different variations and outreaches are, in fact, one mind in God’s mind.
Jesus did not have just one Apostle but 12. And their minds ranged from Peter to Andrew to Judas. The Resurrection and True Presence could not exist without Judas as well as the rest. That is a paradox I don’t fully understand, but I do believe in the power of its presence. And THAT is God’s mind.
And David – on another note – I am thoroughly enjoying your book “The Coming Catholic Church.” Thank you for your time, attention, viewpoints and presence.