Can we criticize the Catholic Church without having our faith and loyalty called into question? It seems that the answer is “no.” A climate of theological McCarthyism has infected the institutional church, particularly around the issue of abortion. Selective public condemnations by a handful of conservative bishops are a Sword of Damocles over Catholic leaders who have experienced drive-by denunciations from the pulpit. It is unfair that a Catholic presidential nominee – or a Catholic United States senator or member of Congress – who personally opposes abortion but has genuine convictions that a blanket anti-abortion law would not work in...
