Posted on 09/04/2012 12:31:37 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.
Such is my luck this week. Thanks for the correction.
Cardinal Dolan has praised Paul Ryan’s plan. Move along. Nothing to see here.
Perhaps therein lies the problem. The only way to absolutely fulfill what they see as a universal "right" (as opposed to privilege) is to have Gov't step in.
The Pope says it is the moral responsibility of nations as opposed to the charity of individuals which implies that the State should step in.
The Vatican Sec'y of State (I assume he's a spokesperson for the Church's position) seems to imply so in this same story
the Secy of State says "Justice requires guaranteed universal access to health care,"
Then goes on to say:
Governments are obligated, therefore, to adopt the proper legislative, administrative and financial measures to provide such care along with other basic conditions that promote good health, such as food security, water and housing.
As Pius XI said:
"We make this pronouncement: Whether considered as a doctrine, or an historical fact, or a movement, Socialism, if it remains truly Socialism, even after it has yielded to truth and justice on the points which we have mentioned, cannot be reconciled with the teachings of the Catholic Church because its concept of society itself is utterly foreign to Christian truth.
(Encyclical Quadragesimo Anno, May 15, 1931, n. 117)
[Socialism] is based nevertheless on a theory of human society peculiar to itself and irreconcilable with true Christianity. Religious socialism, Christian socialism, are contradictory terms; no one can be at the same time a good Catholic and a true socialist. (Ibid. n. 120)
Perhaps...however, the current framing of a product/service as a "right" will inevitably result in statism.
Pius' position may have been correct on the issue, but these more current statements from the Vatican found in the cited article certainly seem to encourage rather than discourage the growth of the State.
In the run-up to Obamacare (all of 2009) the USCCB staffers were putting out reams of ecclesiastical bafflegab which never (to my knowledge) even mentioned subsidiarity --- the "small and local" principle which is so essential to Christian responsiility and liberty.
The only good thing to come of this whole hellacious mess, I think, is that the most recent incoming prelates in the USCCB (Benedict appointees) finally see what's happened. They realize the warm snuggly robe of "universal healthcare" via the Federal govt has transformed before their eyes into a straitjacket of tyranny.
A painful experience. And it's going to get more painful. But it will teach them a lesson.
In the run-up to Obamacare (all of 2009) the USCCB staffers were putting out reams of ecclesiastical bafflegab which never (to my knowledge) even mentioned subsidiarity --- the "small and local" principle which is so essential to Christian responsiility and liberty.
One either has to assume incompetence, culpability, or agreement on the part of the bishops. IMO the kinder option is to assume that the bishops agree with the staffers, up to and including Dolan. I just don't see another explanation.
And that's the problem. So many were seeing a service (healthcare) as a universal right.
I think, is that the most recent incoming prelates in the USCCB (Benedict appointees) finally see what's happened
I do hope so but I have to say I'll believe it when I see it. I think the only way I'll be convinced is if they push for FREE MARKET answers now (in addition to the charitable alternatives which they have always been in favor of for the poor). That would be very refreshing.
He seemed to think that the choosing of different levels and nifferent "recipes" of insurance coverage would still be in the hands of individuals, employers, private insurers,church-related networks, for-profits, nonprofits, states, and that just a more equitable funding framwork was involved.
I argued that that couldn't possibly the the case. I could see as clear as daylight that government mandatory powers would minutely control the thing all the way through and from top to bottom.
I still can hardly beliueve he and his bishop-bosses didn't see that. Like Stupak --- inexplicable stupidity.
We’ll see what happens in the next 12 months.
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