It’s been a longstanding issue — how does the Catholic Church deal with politicians who are Catholic, but who actively support policies inimical to the faith? Especially now, since Joe Biden, a lifelong Catholic, is in the Oval Office? The nation’s bishops are meeting this week and the matter is coming to a head:
This week at their annual spring meeting, the bishops of the U.S. Catholic Church — the largest faith group in the country — will debate the meaning of Communion and whether Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should be barred from receiving it. The conversation and a vote among the church’s top clerics could have significant ramifications because it centers on one of the most intimate moments of Catholic worship and binds it uniquely to a specific political and policy position.
Intimate moment isn’t quite right; rather, the Eucharist is central to the faith. And within the Church, the centrality of the Eucharist means the stakes are high. But if you’re going to rely on the Washington Post to explain the matter, you’re going to get dogma of a different sort:
The vote comes after two decades of deliberate, passionate focus by Catholic political and theological conservatives to make abortion a litmus test for the sacrament, while church teachings on poverty, climate, racism and authoritarianism, among other things, become more subjective to follow. It also comes after years of hardening toward abortion opponents within the Democratic Party.
Much of that description is doubletalk, frankly. We have 2000 years of history with the Church and arguments about politics have been part of that history from the outset, but poverty has always been an ongoing concern. The default position of Catholicism is faith and works, which is why Catholics build hospitals and schools everywhere they go. And ascribing passion as the prevailing emotion for conservatives is cute, when you consider the behavior of the pro-choice side.
I, like Joe Biden, am a lifelong Catholic. Biden is an ostentatious sinner, but so am I. Understanding my faith has been an ongoing effort for me, especially since the Vatican II teaching I received was equivocal on many issues. I am a graduate of a well-regarded Catholic high school in Wisconsin (Top 50 in the country — just ask them!), but the quality of the religious instruction I received wasn’t very good. Scarcity applies not only to economic matters, but also to clear moral instruction. And in this Archdiocese, which harbored monstrous priests for decades, even the clearest moral instruction is tainted. Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi and many other Catholic politicians benefit greatly from this loss of trust. But Biden is a Catholic in a secular world. And I cannot know the condition of his soul; assuming that I do would be a sin as well.
Biden is also a symptom of a larger malady. As time has passed, Catholics in the West have been following the same dismal path that mainline Protestants have followed — the buildings remain, but the people aren’t coming. We still get decent attendance at my parish, but the faithful parishioners are aging rapidly and many young families are otherwise engaged on Sunday.
Still, hope remains. COVID has actually helped our parish school, which remained open while their public school counterparts were on a year-long Zoom call with cameras off. Parents who would not have considered enrolling their kids in a Catholic school gave Catholic education a chance and many of them are returning this year. And there is tremendous energy in the Church, mostly in places that were once missionary lands. It wasn’t a coincidence that the current Pontiff came from South America, even though his worldview is decidedly European, but there is a decent possibility that the next Pope will be from Africa or Asia. A revival is not guaranteed, but the Holy Spirit hasn’t left the building.
When the Catholic Church started letting homos serve as priests, it was the beginning of the end.
To steal a phrase from Groucho: I wouldn’t attend a church that would accept me as a member.
I had the same concern about Tim Kaine, who claimed to be a practicing Catholic. Apparently, his kid didn’t get the teachings of the faith, either. This apparent approval by the church, as well as the pedophile priests, led me to leave, too. My attendance at mass, was pretty sporadic anyway, because I alternated every other Sunday with my sister to take our mom. Although afflicted with dementia, she always remembered two things; when it was Sunday and her offering envelope.
While attending however, I did notice that the attendees were a mix of young and older people, with a significant number of Hispanics. This brings up another question. With Hispanics being overwhelmingly Catholic and against birth control, why are so many of them Democrats?
I attended Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Roseville MN, kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade. I wasn’t cuttin’ it by the report cards my mother saved, and by the 3rd grade was in public school. Couldn’t tell you the last time I attended church.
With Hispanics being overwhelmingly Catholic and against birth control, why are so many of them Democrats?
It may look different in 25 years.
I attended Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Roseville MN, kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade. I wasn’t cuttin’ it by the report cards my mother saved, and by the 3rd grade was in public school. Couldn’t tell you the last time I attended church.
St. Rose is doing well. Dynamic young pastor. Same thing at St. John the Baptist in New Brighton.
AlphaNewsMN reports quite often on conservative Catholics. For example. Or numerous articles about a Fr. James Altman from Wisconsin.
Based of what I read, I have to wonder if the Catholic church can span the gap between a Fr. James Altman and Biden.
Altman is an interesting case, jdm. He certainly causes his bishop to reach for the antacid. A turbulent priest, to say the least.
More please, if you care to.
One would assume that Archbishop Gomez would also seek to deny the Eucharist to Catholic politicians, if not all Catholics, who support the death penalty. After all, all life is sacred, no?
If not then the pro life stance is utter hypocrisy. Also, what about couples that use artificial contraception? Do you really think all the small families in your parish are a result of natural family planning? I think not. Did the church deny communion to the pedophile priests and those who protected and covered for them?
“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Always amazed at how far folks will go to impose man’s will in the name of God’s will.
One would assume that Archbishop Gomez would also seek to deny the Eucharist to Catholic politicians, if not all Catholics, who support the death penalty. After all, all life is sacred, no?
Church teaching on capital punishment is moving that way, but it’s not there yet. I can only speak for myself; I oppose capital punishment 100%.
Also, what about couples that use artificial contraception? Do you really think all the small families in your parish are a result of natural family planning? I think not.
I have no idea. Just as I don’t know the condition of Joe Biden’s soul, I do not know the condition of the souls of my fellow parishioners.
The first time the expression “an eye for an eye” is used in the Bible is in Exodus 21:24. It is in a series of commands regarding assault and injury. The previous chapter of Exodus contains the Ten Commandments. God gave Moses these commands only three months after the Hebrews escaped slavery in Egypt (Exodus 19:1). Over 600,000 men, not including women and children, left Egypt, and scholars estimate about 2.5 million people were in the Exodus (Exodus 12:37).
In simpler words, you kill one of mine, I’ll kill you.
While the focus has been on abortion and church doctrine – and not as much on other fundamental policies, as you note – there has also long been an American antipathy toward politicians taking their “orders” from the Church. (Exxon or Pharma are fine, though). That was muttering – some dark, some out in the open – about John F. Kennedy’s “allegiance” when he was running for president, as some may recall.
It actually goes back much farther than that. The Holy Roman Empire was essentially the governing body (helped by a bunch of Habsburgs) in Europe from the early Middle Ages until the end of the Napoleonic era, with emperors and kings needing the sanction and even the armies of the Pope (or at least one of them in times when there were two Popes). Much of the political thinking that came out of the Enlightenment was opposed to heavy-handed theological domination, even if the piety of the rulers was more public than personal. A strain of that thinking is still embedded in American political thought, even though the Evangelical flavors have been able to make some noise in the last few decades – though perhaps not as much noise as in the Spanish Civil War where the Church and its followers suffered violent persecution. This happened even thought the Church’s policies and leanings were much more in line with the (S-word) of the Popular Front. Having been seen as the Establishment for centuries, though, made it a target of Communists and Anarchists in the Popular Front, meaning that believers either found a home on the Nationalist side or went underground, exiting the public arena, and from what I’ve seen in (limited) personal experience, that absence is greatly felt.
The battle between platitudes and policy has been painful for the Church, as well as the faithful of any denomination. Dual citizenship in two different kingdoms has many built-in stressors. We can honor “free thought” in principle, but we also expect people to have principles and to stick to them.
Here’s a SCOTUS win for Catholic Social Services and the “Free Exercise” clause
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-123_g3bi.pdf
AllenS
Lex Talionis is the legal principle espoused in Exodus 21:23-27, it is the foundation of retributive justice expressed in the phrase “let the punishment fit the crime”
I was raised in the Catholic church and received communion many times. Never once was I asked if I was worthy of communion.
Always fascinated on why conservative American Bishops want to use Jesus as a political weapon. The only part of scripture where politics came up — Jesus responded “render what is Caeser’s what is his and render unto the Lord what is the Lord’s realm.” Conservative Bishop’s who be better served leaving the Roman Catholic Church and joining with American evangelicals who have a greater desire to meddle in politics rather than serve the spiritual needs of the people. Is it any wonder why American Catholics are beginning to dwindle away?
I was raised in the Catholic church and received communion many times. Never once was I asked if I was worthy of communion.
Right. But those who are raised in the Church also know that if they are in a state of grave sin, they should not present themselves for communion until they can cleanse themselves through Reconciliation. Perhaps Biden does that every time he receives the sacrament; I do not know, and neither do you.
Lex Talionis does not authorize, for any reason, abortion. Also, skip the eye for an eye on the abortion murders.
Conservative Bishop’s who be better served leaving the Roman Catholic Church and joining with American evangelicals who have a greater desire to meddle in politics rather than serve the spiritual needs of the people. Is it any wonder why American Catholics are beginning to dwindle away?
How is that working out for ELCA, or any mainline Protestant denomination?
For the Orthodox Presbyterian Church – the breakaway from the PCUSA, to which I’ve gone?
Not bad at all.
The battle between platitudes and policy has been painful for the Church, as well as the faithful of any denomination. Dual citizenship in two different kingdoms has many built-in stressors. We can honor “free thought” in principle, but we also expect people to have principles and to stick to them.
Yes.
Mitch Berg on June 17, 2021 at 12:19 pm said: Edit
For the Orthodox Presbyterian Church – the breakaway from the PCUSA, to which I’ve gone?
Not bad at all.
Heh.
Does Biden really believe that being denied communion will place his immortal soul in danger, but that being pro-abortion will not?
Biden is not just standing by and letting abortions happen. He is actively working to expand access to abortion, not just in the US, but around the world.
Supreme Court Leaves Affordable Care Act Intact
https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-leaves-affordable-care-act-intact-11623938948
If you think Amy Coney Barrett owned the libs today by defying their expectations on Obamacare — wait until she upholds Roe. Such lib-owning we’ve never dared dream of!
Threadjack.
Based upon the church’s shameful handling of the sexual abuse scandals, including the Los Angeles diocese, perhaps there should be a standard to demonstrate a worthiness to admister coummunion.
Pingback: In The Mailbox: 06.17.21 (Afternoon Edition) : The Other McCain
So you are a believing Catholic, Emery?
I’m not. It is not my business whom they allow to administer communion.
With Toobin’s reinstatement in the news, perhaps it’s timely to refer to a threadjack as a “Toobin”, since the practice and purpose appears to be about the same.
With Toobin’s reinstatement in the news, perhaps it’s timely to refer to a threadjack as a “Toobin”, since the practice and purpose appears to be about the same.
It’s rarely a happy ending.
Biden: “If you don’t vote for me, then you ain’t Catholic.”
It looks like a large majority of the court, in Fulton V Philadelphia, sided with Fulton and Catholic Social Services against the woke city of Philly when it comes to placing foster children. Seems open and shut case of religious bigotry, to me, to say that you will not place foster kids using a service that only recognizes traditional marriage. It’s certainly not in the interests of the kids to restrict the services which may place them in foster homes.
How many of you believe in the supernatural aspects of the Catholic Church? For instance —the immaculate conception and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
If I was Jesus H Christ, there would be a constant barrage of lightning bolts out of the sky aimed at bad people and shit heads.
EI squeeked, “How many of you believe in the supernatural aspects of the Catholic Church? For instance —the immaculate conception and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Typical sophomore lefty debate gambit, it betrays your ignorance. The real challenge of the supernatural dimension of the Catholic church is understanding what and how Reconciliation fit in the life of the faithful. But just for kicks Emery define what you mean by Immaculate Conception.
“I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life”
Barack Hussein Obama, January, 2008. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/januaryweb-only/104-32.0.html?start=2
File it under “Emery is clueless, and failed to do his homework . . . again”
Pig wrote: “Here’s a SCOTUS win for Catholic Social Services and the “Free Exercise” clause”
As long as same sex parents can be foster parents through other agencies in a major metro area, this problem can be worked around.
Frankly, given how the Catholic Church ignored and enabled pedophile priests, one wonders why its leaders claim to be protecting children. Its abusive behavior cannot be reconciled with its claims of being pro-life. Foster children are particularly vulnerable to child abuse. Is the church going to conceal placements made into an abusive household to protect its image?
Sticke with a single standard, Emery. Are you willing to call the public school system corrupt because it has protected pedophiles?
Regarding protecting pedophiles, it’s worth noting that from universities to summer camps to churches, everybody makes the same basic mistake; thinking they can handle things outside the criminal justice system because they really aren’t convinced it’s that big of a deal.
And that’s probably what’s at stake with the Catholic Church and people like Biden and Pelosi, and it’s what was at stake when the Southern Baptists failed to discipline Clinton and Gore. When a church expels a member, they’re basically saying “buddy, you’re on the highway to Hell, and we can’t sit idly by and watch you go without speaking up.” Hence it’s a tough call to make. I’d hope my church (a GARBC Baptist church) would step in and expel a member who favored public funding for abortion or some such thing, but quite frankly, we haven’t been tested yet.
If you have men mixing with women, there are sex issues. If you have men mixing with men, there are sex issues. If you have women mixing with women there are sex issues.
It would be great if we could teat this as the norm rather than some kind of breakdown of social norms.
When the churches push political agendas Its time to take away their tax exemptions.
^^Why?
Comfortably smug; do you mean like when African-American churches host Democratic politicians and give them the pulpit? Or when the UMC, ELCA, PCUSA (or is it CPUSA?) and the like support abortion and public funding from the pulpit and through their bishops and seminaries? That kind of thing?
As a former UMC member, I note that they’ve been doing this for at least half a century.
Along the same lines, I think it would be a great thing to take away tax exemptions for colleges that relentlessly push a political agenda, starting with the Ivy League, Berkeley, Stanford, Wisconsin, and that school in Ann Arbor.
Oh, you don’t like that so much, do you?