[Natural Law]

"The problem here, my friend, is that the economic policies and priorities favored by the USCCB are not necessaily those most in line with the Church's values, especially with respect to subsidiarity."

On this we fully agree, but to contend that the bishops do not have a right to speak simply because someone does not like what they are saying is absurd.

[Mrs. Don-o]

You are correct if you say our clergy have as much right to speak as any citizen. They are welcome to pull up a chair and join the discussion as our equals (although politics and prudential judgments are properly the sphere of the laity.)

The bishops' pastoral authority properly involves faith and morals. The "speaking" (or "issuing of statements") which does not strictly constitute doctrine, however, should come wih a disclaimer along these lines:

"As Bishops we teach authoritatively on matters of the moral doctrine of the Church: the things which involve sins of omission or commission. These policy recommendations involve a choice between competing goods. You can disagree with our prudential judgments without sinning. Our political opinions do not have canonical authority."

"Thank you for listening."