I would be cautious about taking this particular interpretation as undisputed fact.
By John Franko
Catholic News Service
May 27, 2004
PITTSBURGH (CNS) -- While one has a "clear and grave obligation" to vote against legislation that bolsters abortion, the view of refusing Communion to politicians who support keeping abortion legal is not part of the pastoral tradition of the church, Pittsburgh Bishop Donald W. Wuerl said in a May 25 address.
"Given the long-standing practice of not making a public judgment about the state of the soul of those who present themselves for holy Communion, it does not seem that it is sufficiently clear that in the matter of voting for legislation that supports abortion such a judgment necessarily follows," he said.
"The pastoral tradition of the church places the responsibility of such a judgment first on those presenting themselves for holy Communion," he added.
Bishop Wuerl addressed the issue of "Faith, Personal Conviction and Political Life" during his annual Loebig Lecture before the St. Thomas More Society May 25 at the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh.
Saying that people in a democratic society must bring their moral values into the voting process, he pointed to the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's 2002 "Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life," which reminded the faithful that it is wrong to perform an abortion or support legislation that enables it.
The bishop noted, however, that while the doctrinal note highlights the evil action of abortion, it does not propose disciplinary actions on politicians.
"In fact, there seems to be a practice both in Rome and throughout the diocesan churches in Europe of refraining from disciplinary actions in such circumstances," he said.
Bishop Wuerl said the responsibility of a bishop includes making judgments on how best to achieve the spiritual conversion of intellect, will and heart.
The initial step, he said, is to provide clear and adequate teaching on the issue of abortion and the issue of voting to support abortion legislation. Private discussion with legislators on the issue could follow. Further steps could include a public declaration that a legislator's actions contradict church teaching.
The bishop said actions against politicians must be clearly explained so the faithful do not get the impression the church is attempting to force its will on legislation.
"Before taking disciplinary action, if such a route were chosen, there would have to be a clear explanation about what action is being taken, why it is being taken and how it is justified," he said.
Bishop Wuerl noted, however, that politicians who support abortion legislation should not be surprised if they are not welcome in certain Catholic circles, or do not have the doors of Catholic facilities open to them in the same manner as those who support the Catholic tradition of faith and morals.
He said efforts must be made to more clearly expose the evil of abortion, and to debunk the theory that abortion is acceptable simply because some Catholic politicians support it.
"All of us have an obligation to be informed on how critical the life-death issue of abortion is, and how profoundly and intrinsically evil is the destruction of unborn human life," Bishop Wuerl said. "Our political actions, out of which come the laws of this country, must be based on the natural moral law and the most basic of all human rights -- the right to life."
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Ratzinger has the perspective of the entire Church in mind when urging caution.
"Ratzinger gave his opinion on the matter to Bishop Donald Pellote of Gallup, NM, who reported it to the press".
I would be cautious about taking this particular interpretation as undisputed fact.
The outcome of the U.S. bishops forthcoming meeting - and any official Vatican response - will be very interesting - if they even address this issue.
I live in hope that Burke, Sheridan and co. get staunch support for their initiative from the likes of Ratzinger - but I'm not holding my breath.
In better times, courageous defenders of the Faith of the caliber of Bishops Burke and Sheridan may have found a place in the College of Cardinals, but in this "ecumenical" era, they'll probably have to wait until judgement day to reap any reward.
And,I would be cautious about taking anything this bishop,whose installation mass was concelebrated by the disgraced and resigned ex-bishop of Santa Fe (Sanchez) as well as the disgraced but not yet resigned bishop of Cleveland (Pilla), as an undisputed fact. I would say that this particular interpretation by this particular bishop is not likely to reflect much but his own desires and wishes.