Some onlookers might find it problematic or even scandalous that a group of nuns supported the current health care reform bill whereas the U.S. Catholic bishops opposed it in pursuit of stronger protections against the possibility of abortion coverage and worried about costs. Some news reports seemed to position the nuns over against the bishops, as though there was some sort of internal rift going on or a battle over authority, neither of which is the case.
Surely it is obvious that on health care, these nuns have special expertise, having founded and operated some 600 U.S. Catholic hospitals and entire hospital systems for decades. Both the nuns and the bishops speak with authority on these prudential issues. My own view is that the highly public airing of the two different positions is a healthy development. I assume that both groups not only oppose abortion, but also acted on their principles and followed their consciences. That’s the kind of thing we Catholics have come to expect from our faith leaders, which the nuns and the bishops are. What is both positive and valuable is that their actions demonstrated in full public view, and with civil, reasoned explanations of their particular positions, that Catholicism is no monolith in the public square.
Being a Catholic (a very good Catholic) does not necessarily result in political uniformity. And it does not, even when the legislation proposed is a matter of life and death, which health care, abortion, and paying for care ultimately are. Rep. Bart Stupak, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and many other Catholic lawmakers have worked hard to ensure that the legislation does not contradict their own principles. Their efforts are yet another version of modeling before the public how faith is applied on the job. You see, faith cannot truly be legislated. But free and judicious exercise of faith can improve the legislative process.
Karen Sue Smith
Shall we ask this highly exalted hierarchy about the value of their "authority" in light of how they have failed the lowerarchy of this church so badly in virtually every continent of the world when it comes to protecting their own at the great expense of children, good little believing Catholic sheep, and the like?
Authority, indeed! To quote Molly Ivins: "What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authorit.y"
"It is not so much the authority one questions in the Roman Catholic church as the lack of the qualities of good leadership, including respect for the persons involved, the efforts at persuasion, and the explanations to which associates and subordinates are entitled - in fact, the lack of ordinary good manners."
Abigail McCarthy, Mending Catholic Manners/Of Several Minds (article), Commonweal, January 11, 1991.
Federal funding of abortion remains the law of the land. Unless you make the argument that ANY savings provided by any federal legislation must be opposed because it makes more cash available for abortion services, you just can't find anything other than a very strict adherence to the Hyde amendment.
On the authority of bishops and the church hierarchy? Squandered and useless, as Jesus found the Pharisees and Sanhedrin. As He modeled, so should we live...unwilling to compromise principles and social justice for blind adherence to "the law."
Karen Sue Smith contribution is very good, especially the last paragraph. It's too bad our local parishes don't address this issue in a sustained way (besides handing out the bishop's "instructions" before elections).
You're on very shaky ground here. Reporting child abuse and holding those who commit it (and cover it up) is not being "judgemental."
Bart Stupak is a pro-life hero. The Stupak Amendment set the standard for what could have been a very good pro-life compromise. When it became obvious that Stupak offended the non-negotiable pro-choice position of the Democratic party, otherwise allies of Stupak abandoned him en masse for the sake of getting a bill they could live on the hopes of what amounts to a promise from Pres. Obama that no federal funds will provide access to abortion. This could have been avoided if the Dems have passed Stupak; alas they had not the political courage to do so.
Lincoln and Truman used EOs to stop slavery and desgregate the military. Do you see slaves and a segragated military??? did the bishops 'teaching' exist then? Stop making the faith look foolish.
I think many people criticized Bush's use of it because they didn't agree with its content. In this case they agree with the content. The other difference: BO is using it as a backstop to a law and existing measures that already address the issue.
BTW, we don't have segregation anymore for a number of reasons, chief among them was the Civil Rights Movement.
For example, people condemn Card. Law. Did you ever read/hear/see what he did while he was priest in Jackson MS for Civil Rights? It might complicate the easy approbation so many cast on their heads. He literally risked his life for a cause so many on here profess to follow. I think unfortunately, a malicious intent is cast on some of these people who may not have had the best information. That is NOT IN ANY WAY to excuse what happened, but I think we should let "the chaff grow with the wheat" and leave the sorting to Another.
Jeff Landry,
As your many comments indicate, you seem to be the final authority on everything?, with a special gift of seeing into people's souls. Maybe the bishops should consult with you before issuing a statement.
It seems obvious that Jeff Landry does not tell the bishops what to do. He seems to want to follow what the bishops teach. If you are Catholic, don't you? Is there a hierarchy in the Catholic Church? Does this hierarchy have authority concerning faith and morals?
Maybe America Magazine needs to spend some time with Catholicism 101 since there seems to be much confusion on this blog.
And Bush used "EOs" to put into place many of the war on terror policies that so many of us objected to. I didn't see liberals rushing to the defense of Bush when he used this technique.
Once again the only litmus test becomes abortion when support and advocacy for contraceptives (including condoms), pre-natal and teenage pregnancy healthcare and adoptions services all would be more effective at reducing the incidence of abortion. That's the disconnect our church has with the 21st century. Between the narrowness of their abortion presence and their decades-long entanglement in and enablement of child abuse, it is no wonder that Holy Mother Church is closing churches, losing vocations and losing relevance in the world.
Peace, hunger, economic justice, environment...are these ALL trumped by association with Planned Parenthood? And if so, WHY?
Once again the only litmus test becomes abortion when support and advocacy for contraceptives (including condoms), pre-natal and teenage pregnancy healthcare and adoptions services all would be more effective at reducing the incidence of abortion. That's the disconnect our church has with the 21st century. Between the narrowness of their abortion presence and their decades-long entanglement in and enablement of child abuse, it is no wonder that Holy Mother Church is closing churches, losing vocations and losing relevance in the world.
Peace, hunger, economic justice, environment...are these ALL trumped by association with Planned Parenthood? And if so, WHY?