The GOP isn’t the only group having trouble deciding on post-election message discipline and policy direction. From John Allen at the National Catholic Reporter:
Two things seem clear from the U.S. bishops’ much-anticipated discussion of abortion and politics during [the US Conference of Catholic Bishops'] fall meeting in Baltimore: The bishops are united in making the fight against abortion their top political priority, but they’re no closer to agreement on what to do about Catholics, especially Catholic politicians, who won’t fall in line.
The hardliners are easy to understand: it’s all about abortion, and anything short of an outright ban on all abortions is condoning murder. Period — end of discussion. Their more moderate colleagues, on the other hand, point out that (a) even with a GOP sweep, there’s never going to be an outright legal ban, and (b) Democrats are much more committed to addressing the underlying issues that lead some women to consider abortion — lack of education, poverty, etc. Jesuit Thomas Reece looked at the results of the November elections and noted that despite the push by some conservative bishops, the laity rejected their rhetoric. His description of the majority of lay Catholic voters also could describe the more moderate bishops: "These pragmatic pro-lifers wanted results not rhetoric."
Chicago’s Cardinal George, the head of the USCCB, will get headlines for his warning to Obama about abortion, especially the Freedom of Choice Act. The adoption of a new "Blessing of a Child in the Womb" will also get some attention. But other bishops had a different message.
DC Archbishop Donald Wuerl stated he would not refuse Vice President-elect Biden communion. Similarly, Bishop Blase Cupich of Rapid City, SD (South Dakota!) noted, “A prophecy of denunciation quickly wears thin."
Completely under the radar in the secular press, however, are the elections that chose bishops to chair various USCCB committees. When the results of the secret ballot were announced, it was apparent that the hardliners took it on the chin. Outspoken conservative KC KS Bishop Joseph Naumann lost his bid (59-165!) to head up the Committee on Pro-Life Activities. (Naumann made headlines for telling Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to refrain from taking communion, amend her life, and apologize for her public stance on abortion.) Also painful to conservatives was the election of Archbishop Wuerl to head the Committee on Doctrine.
Whatever the bishops say in their official statements, that 165-59 secret ballot vote speaks volumes. The hardliners may get the headlines, but there are a lot of more pragmatic bishops who are getting tired of the shouting.
But that won’t stop the hardliners. Does their whine sound familiar? It’s the same one that we’re hearing from folks like Limbaugh in the secular conservative world: "We just weren’t conservative enough."
Right.
Related posts:
- Harsh Immigration Provision in Senate Health Care Bill Denounced by Catholic Bishops
- And the Catholic Bishops Endorse! A Special Thank-You To Planned Parenthood and NARAL
- I Wonder What Bart Stupak’s Donors Think About Financing Anti-Abortion Activists?
- How the Senate Abortion Language Differs from Stupak
- Anti-Choice Men: The Go-To Source for Abortion Opinion
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Digg
what is that monk holding in his left hand?
i’m just sayin…
I could have a little more sympathy with their stance if they didn’t also condemn contraception. Anybody who states that they consider abortion murder but refuses to encourage all available means to prevent unwanted pregnancies doesn’t truly believe their own rhetoric.
Nice post, Peterr. The Catholic Church reminds me of lemmings – right off the cliff no matter what. That’s okay with me but why don’t they see that they are driving people away?
Ink.
was going for the joke there, guy
I think that was kind of SD Bishop Cupich’s point. When it seems like the only message from the Catholic church is one of shouting loudly about one issue, folks will turn it off and look/go elsewhere — even dyed-in-the-wool Catholics.
Why in the world would they care? Is it in the Bible? Not that I’ve heard. It’s power, pure and simple. Power to make people do what they say. Power to make women inferior to men. How about they start working on preventing unwanted pregnancies? That’d reduce abortions without “killing babies”. Forcing pregnancy as retribution for having sex out of wedlock turns a child into a punishment. Not the best way to cherish the next generation.
Sorry.
sort of related – received via email today:
some info at the National Catholic Reporter
yeah, it’s not very good from the child’s perspective…
new descriptor for Sarah Palin: smugnorant
ink
recent analysis i read , reliable IMO, said the future repub party was to be nothing but the far right, no rinos of any kind, including voters i presume. that party is dead. all repubs at governors’ convention talked about stopping the attack mode of politics, etc. then they went on to plan their attendance at evangelicall christian gatherings next week. whatever.
fewer and fewer people are buyin their rap. eversoslowly people figure out govt needs to stay out of their bedrooms and private lives. it’s a slow sell, but it’s selling nonetheless.
It’s not a problem when the government is in somebody else’s lives. Some folx have a real sympathy deficit.
and there have been nuns out there with congregations of their own who are fed up with the patriarchy who’ve been saying mass for years and have followings. that old story of power, shame and control is losing its appeal even to the faithful. the dots connect slowly, but they do connect.
The subtext of Adam and Eves fall from grace is “don’t question authority.” If they’d kept their mouths shut we’d still be in paradise.
Hey, nahant. I saw you Dugg my Digg…
of course, I knew you would
Not quite, the subtext of adam and eve’s fall from grace is that it was the woman’s fault, she is the evil temptress, the weak one morally, a regular floozy. why the women of afghanistaan have to hide in freakin body tents, to keep the ‘innocent’ men from being tempted by their sin inducing faces.
isn’t this deference to the Catholic stance on abortion ironic – when JFK had to reassure the nation he would not let Rome rule the US.
Women’s Ordination Conference
it was the role of women in the church(es) that was the spark that eventually led to my rejection of almost all religious organizations (no offense meant to the many who stay and work for change)
and when “temptation” leads to rape, they stone the victim
Yet, if you ignore the break in the Adam and Eve story and to continue to read into the next chapter, you find Eve conversing directly with God – so she can’t be too reprehensible, now really.
Authority is the key much of what the RC bishops do or say. The bishops are deathly afraid that people will notice that theirs is slipping.
yeah, and i bet the irony of all this is completely lost on those guys. that’s the saddest part. i mean, how is one to become enlightened without an appreciation of irony?
pay no attention to that man behind the curtain
sigh
Authority is the key TO much of what the RC bishops do or say . . .
Preview is my friend.
Preview is my friend.
Preview is my friend . . .
right but they never talk about that part. selective reading of the bible , ever see that old west wing episode where bartlet really gives it to that right wing windbag. uses the OT (i detest the OT myself, except, you know like song of solomon and the goegeous parts) to refute all her crazy arguments? gotta love that one.
Why I became a Buddhist. There are (idiot) Buddhist sects that treat women the same way, but the idea that we are fundamentally the same was attractive.
Was she riding her dinasour?
PS – sorry to go off topic – but do check out Driftglass’ take on handling the Lieberman issue, using Chicago fight rules.
riding a dinasour and drinking a whiskeysour
riding her dinosaur to church! where everything is in English.
Catholic bishops can be pricks but sometimes they do what is right to. Fotunately most Cahtolic lay people have minds of their own.
English is God’s Language, ya know.
If she WERE reprehensible, it would have to be because she was created that way. Same goes for Adam.
do you know the name of that WW episode?
Father Roy Bourgeois, a Catholic priest, torture survivor, Vietnam veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and SOA Watch founder is facing excommunication by the Vatican for his beliefs on the ordination of women.
wow. the last time I was in a Catholic church was the day that I found out that our Father Marty had been “reassigned”. That’s the kind of position that would have been right up his alley. In fact, I’d bet that if he’d ever been asked, that *would* have been his position.
But – my radical priest was shipped to parts unknown. And I’ve never been back.
No sweat. I use Preview and often find that I’ve still messed things up. Your meaning was clear.
Yup!! If I am lounging at the Lake I always Digg the post!!
i never thought of it that way. hmmm…… nah.
sorry not offhand but it’s prob in first 3 seasons. maybe the first1 or 2. sorry. will ask west wing addicted daughter when next i speak to her selise and try and post answer another day?
How True now the Bishops want to tell all of us how to behave and how to view things… How old school… back to the Middles ages!!
that West Wing episode is classic. *sigh* i loved that show, but it made me crazy to see what an administration could be as opposed to the Bush disaster.
Thank goodness they can’t start another inquisition.
‘ere ya go…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHaVUjjH3EI
As far as I’m concerned the Catholic Church has no moral authority left. Keeping their dirty little secrets for years and hiding their sick priests. Sorry, I just don’t like child abuse.
you know, back when i used to follow issues Catholic (was trying to find a way to understand it) i came upon stats that amazed me. Only about half of all catholics are anti choice. And hey let’s be clear folks, This is about pro choice and anti choice, not pro life and anti life. FRAMING, people. Framing.
Just under half the regular churchgoing catholics int he country are actual progressives. IE folks who take the new testament to heart.
ooops, speaking of Bush (poo poo poo), it is bedtime. i bid all pups sweet dreams. **tottles away in nightshirt**
Add to that the hipocracy of telling people not to use birth control. Even when the birth control, condoms, eliminates suffering and death from HIV.
Oh yes I often tell people that they should reject any human being that claims or insinuates a “special” relationship with god or special “powers”. Too many cult like organizations talk like that. It is just another way to manipulate people.
Oh and have any of you seen the South Park Episode about Mormonism and the special plates etc. Let’s put it this way, the song that goes along with the story goes like this: ” dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb….” and so on.
I realize that for the most part, only folks like the Palins believe everything in the Bible is literally true. However, it always struck me that the entire premise is pretty shaky. How is it that the crowning creation (aka humans) of a purportedly Perfect Being are SO screwed up? Most people also attribute omniscience to the Creator, so it should have come as no surprise to Him/Her/It that his creation was flawed. Why get angry about something you knew would happen from the outset?
oh you are SOOOOO coouhl to have found that!! thank you, i’ve filed it away to memorize later!! angel you are.
The front page of the Times Picayune was so surreal the other day.
Middle of the page was woman killed for refusing KKK initiation.
Right side of page Catholic Priest to be excommunicated for ordaining woman.
So surreal.
The yes men create their own New York Times. Many articles, with comments by real people.
and, of course, he is White
(can’t leave!) And yet God can be bargained with, and educated in a sense – that God grows along with his people.
And the name of the episode is “The Midterms” – Oct 18, 2000 (Season 2)
now i’m gone!
I was raised a catholic and was taught the sanctity of life.
I was also raised an American and schooled in the value of the separation of Church and State.
In 2004, our priest lectured us from the pulpit that if we were true Catholics we could not support a candidate for favors abortion. It was funny he never said a word about whether we should support a candidate who favors an illegal and immoral war that has killed hundreds of thousands of men, women, and yes, children.
Long story short, I no longer consider myself Catholic.
ok time for bed. here in the east. i HIGHLY recommend jayt’s post link at 47 to the west wing put down of the religious right. it’s priceless, and a good laugh before retiring is always a good thing.
nightall
AND that humans are created in God’s image, so if WE’RE screwed up… just saying.
in fact, it can only be the case that God wanted us to be this way
which means that God wanted Obama to be prochoice.
but he also wanted Bush to be antichoice.
that’s the point at which I get stuck.
Too bad that’s not a real headline, ES! ;-)
God would have known from the start which of us would pass or fail his little morality challenge, so basically lots of us are only created to serve as extras to people who pass the test, then spend the rest of eternity being punished. Could a Perfect Being really have dreamed up this scenario?
well, I suppose the Perfect Being would get to define “Perfect”…
Not even for the Bush crew?? They deserve to have done to them for all they have done to the detainees and many other crimes. And what better way to get at the truth but some good old fashion methods used by the inquisition? A little use of the rack would be nice!!
which is why I don’t believe in Hell.
I mean, can you imagine a Supreme Being who created you, me, all of us, then sent us down into this bizarre, swirling shit-storm who then, upon death, would have the gall to look ya in the eye and say “sorry – ya know, you came reeeally close, but – nah.”
As Supreme Beings go, I’m thinking that that’s the kind of Supreme Being I don’t much wanna hang out with anyway.
Rachel is getting really worked up about the possibility of Loserman not being removed as committee chairman…
Does that make God “The Decider”..? If So, Bush is guilty of some serious Copyright Infringement.
that would be a creative use of the congressional subpoena power
the power which, in reality, they are apparently unwilling to enforce to the smallest degree
Hey CT how goes the home front??
not to mention blasphemy
firedograchel!
I step away for a bit and come back to an argument about theodicy?
You never know what’s going to happen in the comments around here.
Been filling out applications and looking at houses today…
Bush = The Decider
God = The Decider
ergo, Bush = God
I wonder if that is how he sees it
LOL She sure is!! Whats her screen name??
I am sure you are much more learned than I will ever be on such subjects, Peterr…:)
Lots of LUCK CT… Keeping you in our thoughts!!
I had a similar discussion with a coworker once. He asked, “If you don’t believe in Hell, what stops you from committing crimes like rape or murder?” I responded, “Are you telling me the only thing preventing you from committing rape or murder is fear of going to Hell?” He said, “Probably…” I told him, “You just go right on believing in Hell then, buddy.”
but at least I learned a new word tonight!
I step away for a bit and come back to an argument about theodicy?
umm – if you say so.
I thought we were just testing out wingnut-brain-bombs.
Lurking Mod? *g*
Nice answer.
Thanks, nahant!
LOL I wonder if Rachel loves dark chocolate…
…and pecans…! ;-)
but how does she feel about rugby players…?
The catholic church IS in the position to make one thing happen in american politics- they can make certain that the dems NEVER nomminate another catholic for prez or veep. Nice goin guys—
Hey, she’s in a committed relationship, don’t try to rock the boat.:-)
It will be interesting to see what happens to Keith and Rachel after Bush leaves office..They will have to reinvent themselves.
I hope they will lead us in riding herd on the disloyal opposition
and I include Sen. Joe Loserman in that category
I was born and raised Catholic, not a churchgoer much anymore but I absorbed and kept some of the best things IMO, such as moderation in all things, and Jesus’ whatever you do unto the least of your brethren, etc. Also not a personal fan of abortion, but I believe others should be able to choose for themselves.
While we’re on the subject, the concept of “retroactive abortion” is one I could get behind. Has the advantage of hindsight to decide who should be retroactively aborted. Can think of a few dozen right off, without even trying.
Peterr, thanks for keeping us up to date on the bishops’ meddling. Do you think they justify their speaking out on abortion because of Joe Biden’s Catholicism? After all, it’s been a long time since Jack Kennedy was President. Biden as Veep gives the Bishops an excuse for speaking out louder, they might presume.
I hope he smacks them around a little. Christmas communion would be a nice time to test their resolve, don’t you think?
We need to have them keep on bringing it… I did enjoy Rachel’s rant about ousting HoJo!
In 1960, a LOT of people swore that if JFK was elected the pope would be the defacto leader of the U.S.. Some even maintained that everybody would have to become Catholic, I know it sounds absurd but they really did. Needless to say, JFK won, none of it came to pass, and the ignorant paranoid people found something else to be afraid of. The point is, if the right candidate comes along, it won’t make any difference.
Careful with that. The mods have been known to exert their omnipotence to cast those who call for violence into the vast outer darkness, never to return.
They don’t take kindly to even metaphorical threats to do violence.
might be worth watching again on the rerun, or YouTube
or her Web site, I guess
For a few, that is part of it. Their larger worry, though, is that Obama (or some other Democratic leader) will push for FOCA and roll back a bunch of the legal obstacles to abortion. FOCA really makes them nervous.
If you listen to the hardest of the hardline bishops, they sound like the religious version of a lot of the secular conservatives who try to paint Obama (or any other Democratic leader) as a socialist who will push to take away all private property.
They live in a world driven by fear, which is a sad place for a religious leader to live.
Sorry if I offended any mods. Just a medical procedure will do, no violence.
So what is theodicy? Is it like theoidiocy? Or is it the notion that concepts of god are dicey?
Actually I realize that theodicy tries to understand why “evil” is “live” spelled backwards.
A sad place for anyone to live. Just think, without fear the GOP would have to come up with a different marketing strategy.
How many divisions does the pope have? Because I’m pretty sure that if they tried that, they’d be minus about half their current members in the US.
Actually, there’s a priest in SC who’s telling his parish that he’ll deny communion to anyone who voted for Obama, because Obama didn’t promise to do what the RC church wants on abortion. I think the guy must have a screw loose, or be totally ignorant of the law and the Constitution. (Truthfully, I hope the IRS comes after him, because he’s so far over the line he can’t see it. Count the ways he’s out of line … he shouldn’t even know how they voted, to begin with.)
KO: “McCain said Gov. Palin might visit the state [Georgia, for senate runoff] as well…”
yes, please
She is waiting for confirmation that the Russians have left…
can’t she see that from her doorstep?
I remeber those rumors. Those are the same people, I suspect, who teach their kids that all the smart Catholics are chosen to become priests and nuns. (Yes, I had a fundy tell me that years ago. It apparently was what they were being taught in her church – and she was old enough to know better, too.)
Woo-hoo my employer is mentioned in the WaPo…
from Webster’s
theodicy: defense of God’s goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil
The comment by the Archbishop of DC, Donald Wuerl, that he would not refuse Biden communion was particularly interesting to me. Of all the bishops, Wuerl probably has one of the best senses of the realities of the secular political world — that’s why he was chosen for DC — and so he knows the limits of knee-jerk shouting as an effective political tool.
He’s not a cardinal yet, but will be soon.
(I don’t know anything at all about the Bishop of Delaware, so Biden may have a tougher time taking communion “back home”.)
Apparently, there are two ways to determine how a parishioner voted. Shame him into confessing. Collect Voter ID cards in the collection baskets.
don’t sweat it… was just curious if you knew.
not my beliefs, but when it comes to the RC, i’m a big fan of some local catholic workers (basically left-wing religious anarchists – yeah, i don’t get it either. but great people)
The name of the episode is “The Midterms” – Oct 18, 2000 (Season 2)
My parents had a friend who swore if JFK was elected everyone would have to become Catholic. About five years ago, the same woman insisted that the ACLU wants to abolish Christianity. Apparently, age doesn’t impart wisdom to everybody.
decades ago I met a colorful character who said he just knew, if Kennedy were elected, that he would be “diggin’ that tunnel to Rome.”
Yeah, like I said.
thanks!
Unless they are hiding in Africa (the country OR the continent), waiting to jump out and grab her the moment her plane lands in Georgia.
Hard to understand how geography got so complicated in just 6000 years.
oops. that was for peterr at 116
Not precisely what you said but no matter.
SC Catholic priest: I am the Communion Nazi! No communion for you, Obama voters!
New Ian upstairs.
I’m not sure which was the more important question addressed in this thread–theodicy, or whether Rachel is The Lurking Mod…
This just in from South Carolina (h/t MSNBC):
*sigh*
A Catholic Taliban, who knew?
No one could have anticipated . . .
The problem for the Bishops is that they have already spoken on the issue via their 2007 document, “Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility.” In that document, these same bishops made clear that Catholics could not be single issue voters, that their faith demanded more of them. In fact, they stated that Catholics could vote for candidates who support a woman’s right to choose, so long as that was not the only reason for voting for that candidate.
“Faithful Citizenship” put abortion as a major, but not sole, issue in a continuum of social justice and respect for life that included issues like unprovoked war, the death penalty, racism, poverty and other issues.
This document was written outside the intense political period and represents a surprisingly lucid view of the how Catholics have already been viewing the abortion issue for decades.
The current statements of individual bishops and other church leaders does not rescind this document, which provides a framework for Democrats to approach Catholic voters. Democrats would do well to read this document so that they can take advantage of the opening it creates.
Peterr–Cardinal George was on tv earlier. From the introduction, I thought the Archbishop from San Franciso was going to be on about Prop 8. Boom different guy. He immediately directed the conversation to the ‘pro-lifers’ audience. Fox.I’ll see if I can find the clip. So many tabs open, computer slow.Will post it if i find it. Was pertinent to future arguments, he IS the new front man. Completel;y clear to me that he had was a player. but he wasn’t supposed to be. Probably because the Archbishop was photographed giving communion to ‘drag queens’. No joke.
http://americansfortruth.com/n…..gence.html
Been gone from the lake all day, haven’t read comments yet.
I hope you see this comment, the tide is turning, it is soooo important that we keep the dialogue specific to social choices, keep it from being amalgamated back into ‘denied rights’ which they turn into race and abortion. “Shiny thong”-lhp.
I’m posting a diary about Bill Donahue of The Catholic League tomorrow.It’s taken three days to write. He’sHe’s the linch pin, no, he’s the Rasputin, and I’m layin’ his ass out tomorrow in an Oxdown Diary.
here’s the o’reilly link—advice to pups., copy and open into a new link.
They make it hard to identify footage, but once you have selected a video you are ‘in’….then you get a new list and your own menu. titles are generic on purpose to keep you from finding specific things. dumb down your brain and select the most generic description, go by the ‘pictures’ and you’ll find it. they remove easy access by the next night’s show and you cannot copy a permanent link to a clip.
http://www.foxnews.com/oreilly/index.html
omg, just now, his last segment is about slave porn. go bill , you sick fuck.
thai porn, check his passport, the man was discombobulated.
Excellent post, Peterr.
Something else to add: SC Bishop says No communion for Obama voters.
Sorry I haven’t read all the comments, but I wonder why these prolifers never bring any problem with unjust war? McCain isn’t exactly honoring the sanctity of life or of marriage. I guess all voters should head to confession for voting for anyone? (kind of my response to the article I linked to above…sorry…rambling…)
Hello Peterr. I am a referal from Suzanne. I’ll admit right off, I’m not “progressive”, but I found this topic of interest. I am in a precarious situation on more than one front when discussing this issue. I tend to irritate both sides, those calling themselves Christian/Catholic and those who are secular/agnostic/pagan, etc.
On the one hand, those who are secular have no clue of the world of the Catholic religion. I’ll admit my knowledge is slim since I am not Catholic and have done only some reading. But, I do know that while some would love to view “The One True Church” as a singular peaceful unity, it has been quite far from that for some time and has been battling its own internal war for years now. The battle is between the Pope and the Black Pope. This isn’t meant to be racist. It is a legitimate term. What you are seeing in Mr. Allen’s tone is the apostate Jesuit response to the Pope’s determination to maintain what he states is the biblical truth of the issue. In fact, these same Jesuits are the reason Central America is as decayed as it is today. I do agree with the Pope’s position on the issue, but for a different reason, and differ with them on contraception among many other things too numerous to go into detail here. My comment to the secular person would be that those of faith whether in the pulpit or out of it have not, by the mere fact of their being religious, automatically forfeitted their Constitutional Rights or ability to be an influence in public policy. I do disagree with how they are attempting to influence it. To me it is a matter of faith to be adhered to for those claiming to actually have any. On the other hand, it takes no religion at all to subscribe to the idea of personal responsibility. I agree with a woman’s FREEDOM to choose to have an abortion. I also agree with her and the sperm donor’s FREEDOM to be 100% responsible for all financial costs in obtaining it. They could have gotten their condoms for free–so too bad so sad. My reply to the “Cafeteria”, “Card Carrying” lay Catholic or apostate Jesuit who whines: If you don’t like it, leave and have the guts to start your own church and stop calling yourself Catholic. God’s kingdom is not and will not be democratic ever. And God doesn’t care about they feel about that either. In fact, that’s my comment to Christians who complain about the church they’re in as well. While some get carried away or even are outright wrong in how they conduct themselves on the abortion issue (yes I know this is a grave understatement), the biblical truth remains that abortion does not please God. The Catholics or Christians will say it is because it’s murder. I don’t waste my time there. I am convinced it is because it is a faithless action. I’ve spoken to a number of young women who were unwantedly pregnant and have heard their reasonings. There is only one word to describe their disposition: FEAR–fight or flight. Do I blame them? NO. The church as a whole has failed for atleast a generation in establishing and cultivating faith and what the faith really is. So, they shouldn’t be surprised when the society they are commissioned to go to suffers under the prince of the power of the air, their flesh and the world.
I would add, for the woman who has had an abortion and her conscience is sorely afflicted by this: While it is a sin and it does displease God, it is not the unpardonable sin. There is no reason to think there is no hope for you with God and that you can not be forgiven. A word of caution though. Don’t take God’s grace for granted. And for the hardcore right-wingers that may come across this thinking these women will go to hell for their action–don’t cheapen the blood of the Savior!
Yep. His personal past as a torture survivor, vet and Purple Heart recipient etc., is immaterial to the issue of Women’s Ordination. It has nothing to do with his personal life, characture or activites and everything to do with what God’s word has to say about it.
And that’s part of where Catholicism went wrong and even most Christian churches. They set themselves up through their doctrine of works-righteousness as the epitomy and example of holiness and virtue instead of pointing you to the One who is: Jesus. The word of God is the authority. And if God has granted any authority to those He’s called to minister, that authority is not removed by the fact that they are found to still be sinners–sinners saved by grace with a stewardship. The Apostle Paul called himself, “the chiefest of sinners”. Those gifted by God have the responsibility to communicate it. You have the right to reject it just as the most of the people did when Jesus walked the earth. God has granted you the freedom to reject Him. I completely understand why most are livid with church’s apparent hypocrisy. That fact aside, it still doesn’t solve the individual’s dilema of a fuller relationship with his or her Savior and God and learning more about Him, should they so wish.
The National Council of Bishops has looked at the issue again and this year said Catholics should vote based on their own consciences and candidates’ platforms from womb to tomb. It’s the most reasonable stance they have ever had. Individual conservative priests and bishops may say something else; they are out of line with the national group. I think Catholics this year finally recognized that the GOP has USED abortion as an issue to attract anti-abortion voters but has really done NOTHING to reduce abortions like provide postnatal care of mother and child. Additionally, Bush has waged wars that have killed already-born people as well as favored capital punishment. Both of these policies are against Catholic doctrine. Obama’s platform has programs that should reduce the need for abortions. While Catholic doctrine says life begins at conception, not all religions ascribe to this doctrine and many people have no religion. This is right to an abortion is a secular law that is the law of the land. People who are elected swear to uphold the law of the land. I was glad to see Wuerl say he would not deny Biden Holy Communion. It is just a shame that the Catholic Church administration is completely celibate male, making it increasingly out of touch with the problems of real life.